POLICE have interviewed a 13-year-old girl after a suspicious fire ravaged Hastings train station last month, causing significant damage to the platform’s building.
Eight CFA units were called to the fire at the Church St station about 3.45am on 21 December where they found the station “well alight”. The blaze was brought under control within 25 minutes but despite their efforts much of the decades-old station including the waiting area and Myki terminal was destroyed.
Victoria Police confirmed the fire was suspicious with investigators having arrested and interviewed a 13-year-old Bayside girl. “The girl has been released and may be charged at a later date,” a police spokeswoman said.
Details have not been released about the cause of the fire or whether it was still being investigated. A Metro spokesperson said the station was demolished after being “severely damaged” in the fire. The station was temporarily closed as buses replaced trains on the Stony Point line while the area was made safe. Trains resumed as normal from 22 December with lighting at the station also repaired. “A temporary shelter has been erected for passengers while we will work with the Department of Transport and Planning on future plans for the station,” the spokesperson said. Hastings MP Paul Mercurio congratulated Metro “for getting on to this so fast and making sure we have a station that is operational at this very important holiday and Xmas period”.
The station first opened in 1889 and was rebuilt in February 1986, replacing the original timber building. In recent months the station’s condition and overall maintenance has been in the spotlight with Hastings stalwart and resident of more than 50 years Brian Stahl calling for the improvement of the rail precinct and the possible repurposing of the disused building for a social enterprise (Call for railway station renewal hosed down, The News 13/11/24). At the time he said it was not a welcoming place for those who regularly used the station or visited Hastings for the first time by public transport. “On behalf of our community I appeal to have this unacceptable situation dealt with promptly and properly maintained in the future,” he said.
First published in the Mornington News – 7 January 2025
