Suspected arsonist arrested over racecourse stand blaze

Melbourne: A man is in custody after a string of suspicious fires at the Caulfield Racecourse. This includes a major fire that wrecked a historic grandstand.

The 51-year-old was arrested after three grass fires in Mordialloc led police to him. They caught him at a nearby train station around lunchtime.

Detective Sergeant Stuart Hough mentioned that they’re not looking for anyone else. The suspect fits the description of someone seen on CCTV at the racecourse.

“Great job by the police and the community,” he said. Locals spotted the man and quickly reported it, allowing police to act fast.

The fire caused serious damage to the heritage-listed Norman Robinson stand, with estimates suggesting it could cost millions to repair.

Investigators are still looking into the scene. The man’s last known address was in Wangaratta, but he hasn’t lived in the area for years.

While he has a history with the police, it’s unclear if it involves arson. The fire started in a bar on the first level of the stand, which is made of timber and burned easily.

Fire Rescue Victoria managed to control the blaze with 17 crews and over 65 firefighters. Thankfully, the wind wasn’t too strong, so the fire didn’t spread much.

One firefighter did get a minor injury but was treated and is okay. The damage means that races scheduled for Wednesday will be moved to Mornington.

Melbourne Racing Club chairman John Kanga expressed their disappointment but is optimistic about rebuilding. They’re committed to restoring the stand to its former glory.

Currently, the racecourse is undergoing a $300 million redevelopment, which includes work on the Norman Robinson stand. There are also plans for a new training base for the Melbourne Football Club by 2028.

In a recent deal, the Melbourne Racing Club sold a parcel of land for $195 million to Mount Scopus Memorial College for a new campus.