Latest news with #FireRescueVictoria
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Devastated owner of $15million Toorak mansion destroyed in 'suspicious' fire points the finger: 'Petrol all over it'
The devastated owner of a $15million mansion destroyed in a 'suspicious' fire says he is scratching his head over who may have started the blaze. Gerry Hoggard, the boss of building company Sperway Homes, has been left heartbroken after his Toorak home went up in flames about 12.20am on Friday. Mr Hoggard has already spent millions renovating the mansion, which he bought for $7.1million in 2021, with three years of hard work destroyed in just minutes. The renovations marked the first time the construction boss, who has been in the industry for over 45 years, has ever built a home for himself. Mr Hoggard claimed petrol had been poured 'over every floor and every room'. 'I don't know who would have done it,' he told The Australian. 'But I can tell you that by the extent of the fire, and knowing how it's built, somebody has put accelerant all over the building.' It's understood nobody was living in the property on the exclusive St Georges Road while the renovations were underway. Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) said the response was escalated after crews arrived to find smoke and flames coming from the two-storey house. It took firefighters an hour to bring the blaze under control with the building sustaining significant structural collapse due to the intensity of the fire. The cause of the blaze will be investigated by FRV specialists and Victoria Police. 'Investigations are ongoing into the exact cause of the fire, which is believed to be suspicious at this stage,' police said in a statement on Friday. 'An arson chemist will attend the scene this morning.' Mr Hoggard is the owner and managing director of Sperway Homes, which has locatons in Sydney and Melbourne, and Extension Factory. Anyone who witnessed the fire has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
11 trapped inside minibus after pub crash
A minibus has crashed into a pub Melbourne's eastern suburbs, leaving 11 people trapped inside. Emergency services were called to the corner of Glenferrie Rd and Dandenong Rd in Malvern about 9.25am on Friday after reports a minibus had crashed into the side of a pub. A Victoria Police spokesperson told NewsWire that 11 people were trapped inside the bus at the time of the incident. Firefighters worked to free the passengers who were unable to get out of the crushed bus. 'The passengers and driver were still on-board and unable to evacuate' a Fire Rescue Victorias spokesperson told NewsWire. 'The driver relocated the minibus, allowing firefighters to remove the vehicle door so everyone on-board could evacuate.' Ambulance Victoria were on the scene as they treated the 11 trapped passengers. 'Paramedics assessed 11 patients but no emergency treatment or transport was required,' a spokesperson told NewsWire. Police have launched an investigation into the crash. Anyone who witnessed the crash or with footage or information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
News.com.au
13 hours ago
- News.com.au
Horror as 11 people trapped inside minibus on major highway in Melbourne's east
A minibus has crashed into a pub Melbourne's eastern suburbs, leaving 11 people trapped inside. Emergency services were called to the corner of Glenferrie Rd and Dandenong Rd in Malvern about 9.25am on Friday after reports a minibus had crashed into the side of a pub. A Victoria Police spokesperson told NewsWire that 11 people were trapped inside the bus at the time of the incident. Firefighters worked to free the passengers who were unable to get out of the crushed bus. 'The passengers and driver were still on-board and unable to evacuate' a Fire Rescue Victorias spokesperson told NewsWire. 'The driver relocated the minibus, allowing firefighters to remove the vehicle door so everyone on-board could evacuate.' Ambulance Victoria were on the scene as they treated the 11 trapped passengers. 'Paramedics assessed 11 patients but no emergency treatment or transport was required,' a spokesperson told NewsWire. Police have launched an investigation into the crash.
News.com.au
16 hours ago
- General
- News.com.au
Massive mansion destroyed by fire in affluent Melbourne suburb
A two-storey mansion in an prestigious suburb of Melbourne's east has gone up in flames in the early hours of Friday morning. Fire Rescue Victoria was called to the large property on the corner of St Georges Rd and Ultimo CT in Toorak about 12.20am Friday after the home was engulfed in flames. Emergency services were on the scene within five minutes to extinguish the fire, which had overwhelmed both storeys of the mansion. Smoke billowed from the roof and flames grew so high they were visible from neighbouring properties. Smoke was so thick crews were forced to wear breathing apparatus, but managed to stop the fire spreading to adjoining properties. No one was injured in the fire. 'There were no occupants home at the time of the fire as it appears the house is undergoing renovations,' an FRV statement read. 'There has also been significant structural collapse due to the intensity of the fire.' Residents nearby were warned of visible smoke spreading around the community as crews worked to control the flames. 'There is no immediate threat to the community and no action is required, but local residents should be aware of the possibility of smoke and embers in the area,' FRV wrote online. The fire was declared under control shortly after 1am. 'Firefighters will remain on scene to ensure the fire is fully extinguished,' the FRV statement read. An investigation in to the cause of the fire has been launched.
ABC News
17 hours ago
- General
- ABC News
Toorak mansion destroyed in overnight blaze in inner Melbourne
A two-storey home in the prestigious suburb of Toorak, in inner Melbourne, has collapsed after it was engulfed in flames in the early hours of Friday. Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) said crews arrived at the St Georges Road mansion within five minutes of being called about 12:18am to find flames throughout both levels. More crews were called in to help fight the blaze and to stop it from spreading to neighbouring properties, which an FRV spokesperson said were "under significant ember attack". No-one was at home at the time as it was undergoing renovations. FRV said the home collapsed due to the intensity of the fire. It took about 45 minutes to bring the blaze under control. The cause of the fire was yet to be determined with FRV specialists and police to investigate. Firefighters remained on scene throughout the night to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.
