October 21st, 2023Man charged following house fire at Wendouree

A man has been charged following a house fire in the Ballarat suburb of Wendouree last week.

Emergency services were called to reports of a large amount of smoke from a house on Park Street about 4.15pm last Thursday October 12.

The owner of the property, a 28-year-old Sunshine West man was present at the time of the fire but was not injured.

The house sustained significant damage before being extinguished by fire authorities.

Officers arrested a 34-year-old man of no fixed address at the scene shortly afterwards.

He had since been charged with criminal damage by fire and was listed to face Ballarat Magistrates’ Court last Friday.

The exact cause of the fire was being investigated with an arson chemist attending the property.

It is being treated as suspicious at this stage.

Anyone with information or CCTV/dashcam footage was urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au