ARSON experts are investigating a house fire at Dimboola.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Melbourne-based arson chemists were in town on Wednesday.
The property, at the corner of Faith Street and Nhill Road, was declared a crime scene after a fire on Tuesday night.
Horsham Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Neale Roberts said investigations were continuing.
At the height of the blaze the Country Fire Authority warned Dimboola residents to stay indoors and close all windows, vents and doors.
An emergency warning was issued about 7.30pm.
District 17 CFA rostered duty officer Ian Day said there were several spot fires.
Embers from the house fire also threatened to spread into neighbouring properties.
“But firefighters were able to contain it to the one,” Mr Day said.
“We are treating it as potentially an asbestos property, and getting samples as per our procedures.”
The house was unoccupied.
Nine CFA trucks were needed to battle the blaze, which raged for about four hours.
Dimboola and District Historical Society president Dale Conway said the property’s late owner collected historical information about his ancestry and the Dimboola picture theatre.
“But more than that, we don’t know,” he said.
“We’ve never been inside the house.
“Despite rumours around the town, Dimboola and District Historical Society has no connection to the property.”
It was the second crime scene in CFA District 17 in as many days.
Police believe malfunctioning hydroponic equipment sparked a house fire at Jung on Monday.
About 10 cannabis plants were discovered at the property.
A Pakenham man, 49, was subsequently charged with having cultivated narcotic plants and having trafficked a drug of dependence.