A man has been arrested after an old police station and courthouse were set on fire in Springvale.
Police arrived at Royal Avenue, Springvale, about 9.30pm on Monday to find the vacant Springvale police station and courthouse lit up in flames.
A Country Fire Authority spokeswoman said four trucks and about 25 firefighters were called to the burning buildings.
It took crews 30 minutes to control the blaze, she said, which was well-alight but not “fully on fire”.
The old police station’s roof and front entrance have been extensively damaged, and the courthouse was scorched.
Three more fires – two rubbish fires behind shops on Springvale Road, and wooden pallets set alight at nearby Warwick Avenue – were started soon after. They are believed to be linked to the first two blazes.
A man lurking in the area was arrested by officers and dog squad at 10.45pm. He was taken to the Dandenong police station, where he is helping police with their inquiries.
Anyone with information about the fires is asked to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
