Suburb in arson fear

By Rebecca Fraser
A STRING of arson attacks has left a group of Hampton Park residents living in fear.
Two homes were set on fire and a car was torched, when a Somerville Road block of units was targeted last week over a period of four days.
The incidents have alarmed some residents of the block.
Landlord Michael Pintaudi said he was both surprised and puzzled by the recent spate of fires.
Mr Pintaudi has owned the block of four units for 15 years and said he had never encountered any problems.
According to Cranbourne police, four fires were started at the units last week with a car parked in the driveway of one home set on fire twice.
Detective Sergeant Larry Grimshaw of Cranbourne CIU said on the first occasion the fire only caused minor damage to the red Mazda hatch but the second time the car was completely burnt out.
In a separate incident Det Sgt Grimshaw said the main bedroom of a unit had then been set alight.
The blaze was contained to the one bedroom. No one was inside the home at the time as the tenants are believed to be overseas.
Det Sgt Grimshaw said it appeared that someone had forced their way through a back window but there was no sign of accelerants being used.
In another incident, a front fence of one of the units and a lounge suite were set on fire causing considerable damage and further alarming residents.
Mother-of-one Rebekah Thomson-Green only moved into the block of units three and a half weeks ago. Although her home was not targeted, she said she still felt very unsafe.
Ms Thomson-Green said she would like to move out of the units but could not afford it.
This week she organised home contents and car insurance and said she was worried that the firebug would return again.
“I am worried about my car and my house.
“Someone came and knocked on our door at 11.30 at night and woke us up because of the fire.
“It was freezing but I had to take my daughter outside because we were scared the car might blow up.
“We just want them to leave all of us alone. We are sick of it,” she said.
Mr Pintaudi has fixed the fence in a bid to make his tenants feel more secure but said he was disappointed that police had not dealt with the matter as soon as the first incident occurred.
“They (residents) are a bit worried, to put it mildly. Do you blame them?
“They do fear for their safety but with good reason.
“I am definitely surprised by this and do not know why it has all happened at once,” he said.
Police believe the incidents are linked and have asked witnesses to contact Detective Senior Constable Mark Wiederhold of Cranbourne CIU on 9705 3111 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.