A church in South Melbourne, previously thought to be occupied by squatters, has suffered extensive damage due to a suspicious fire. Emergency services responded to the incident at around 8:45 AM at the vacant property on Park Street. Upon arrival, firefighters observed considerable smoke emanating from the roof.
A representative from Fire Rescue Victoria stated that crews successfully protected a nearby apartment building from the flames. Firefighters, equipped with breathing apparatus, initiated a vigorous attack on the blaze. They conducted a thorough search of the church and confirmed that no individuals were inside at the time; however, there have been reports of squatters in the building.
The fire reportedly began in a rear room before spreading into the roof space of the main chapel, resulting in significant damage to the structure. Authorities suspect arson, and an arson chemist has been dispatched to the scene to investigate the cause of the fire.