POLICE are investigating a fire that destroyed an historic boat shed in Dromana just prior to 6.15am on Wednesday 1 February, just 200 metres from Dromana fire station and just a week after it had been broken into.
Fire crews from Dromana and Rosebud CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria (Rosebud) had to wear breathing apparatus, but quickly extinguished the flames which had spread into adjacent grass and scrub.
Dromana Captain Tim Desmond said the fire was being treated as suspicious.
“Yet another one of the 247 iconic boat sheds that line the Dromana foreshore between Safety Beach and Anthony’s Nose has been lost…,” he said.
A CFA fire investigator and the Somerville Police Criminal Investigation Branch were onsite checking over the burnt structure.
Desmond said it was disappointing to see fire fighters hampered members of the public parked close to the fire so they “could get that happy snap.”
He said it was important to leave the area around a working fire free to allow fire and emergency management vehicles clear access the road.
The Dromana fire is not the first time beach boxes have gone up in flames, with two beach boxes at Rosebud destroyed by fire two years ago, with concerns it had been an arson attack.
Anyone with any information or who saw anyone around the time of the fire should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
First published in the Mornington News – 8 February 2023
