Car repairs shop targeted in ‘suspicious' Melbourne factory fire
Police are investigating a suspicious fire that broke out at a car repairs shop in the outer suburbs of Melbourne early on Thursday morning.
The fire broke out at a factory on Glenville Drive in Melton about 2.50am.
No one was inside the premises at the time of the incident.
The business is Redline auto electrics and airconditioning. Its Facebook page with more than 600 followers shows custom jobs modifying often niche and retro cars.
Police said the fire caused extensive damage to the building.
A crime scene has been established, and the investigation is ongoing.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV or dashcam footage, or has information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
31 minutes ago
- ABC News
National road safety data shows pedestrian deaths have increased by almost 50 per cent since 2021
The number of pedestrians killed in Australia has risen by almost 50 per cent in four years as the country's road toll reaches a 15-year high, according to the nation's peak motoring body. Australian Automobile Association (AAA) managing director Michael Bradley said it was a sign the federal government's national road safety strategy was "falling well short of its targets". The national road safety data hub shows 1,340 people died on Australia's roads in the 12 months to July 31, 2025, which was a 2.9 per cent increase from the previous year. This toll includes 205 pedestrians, which is 44 more than the 12 months prior. "Since 2021, when Australian government adopted a national road safety strategy target of halving road deaths by 2030, total road fatalities have increased by 22.2 per cent," an AAA spokesperson said. "Over the same period, fatalities among pedestrians have increased by 48.6 per cent." A spokesperson for Federal Transport Minister Catherine King said the government had introduced a number of new vehicle standards in recent years to improve safety outcomes for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. "This includes Australian Design Rules that cover devices for indirect vision to reduce blind spots around trucks and advanced emergency braking for passenger vehicles to reduce fatal collisions with pedestrians," they said. New South Wales was the deadliest state for road fatalities, with 355 deaths recorded between August 2024 and July 2025 — 17 more lives than the year prior. Both Queensland and Victoria recorded 299 deaths, an increase of 2.7 and 1.7 per cent respectively. Western Australia's fatalities spiked by 12.7 per cent with 204 deaths over 12 months. The road toll rose 14.3 per cent in the ACT, and by 41.9 per cent in Tasmania where 44 people were killed. In South Australia, the road toll improved by 9.4 per cent, and in the Northern Territory the lives lost decreased from 64 to 44 this past year. The AAA is calling for more transparency around what could be causing these dangerous encounters, particularly those involving pedestrians. "The rising rate of pedestrian deaths was driven by sharp increases in Western Australia — 31 deaths, up from 14 a year earlier — and Queensland — 37 deaths, up from 23 a year earlier," a spokesperson said. Australian Pedestrian Association chief executive Harold Scruby questioned the decision to allow e-mobility devices on footpaths. "Footpaths were created for one purpose, to protect pedestrians from vehicles and to make us safe — and what do we do? We invite these high-powered motor bikes and e-scooters, and we expect things to not go awry," he said. Mr Scruby said the use of e-mobility devices were putting pedestrians in harms way, with eight e-scooter deaths recorded in Queensland alone last year. "It's just madness," he said. Earlier this year, the Queensland government launched an inquiry into e-scooter and e-bike safety to look at the current rules around the mobility devices, how they shape up to other jurisdictions, and how laws are enforced. "The increase in injuries and deaths we are seeing because of unsafe and unlawful riding cannot be ignored and I share the community's concern," Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said. Australia's transport ministers met in Melbourne this month where they agreed the Western Australian government would draft a framework to regulate the use of e-scooters, that would be supported by other jurisdictions. But Mr Scruby said the action would not make up for the lives already taken. "We kill so many more people in road trauma compared to guns and knives alone." A spokesperson for Ms King said while the regulation of e-bike and e-scooter use is the responsibility of states and territories, the "community concern and risk" they presented was clear. "That's why the Australian government is continuing to work with the states and territories to identify the risks and opportunities they, as well as personal mobility devices more broadly, present — and identify appropriate risk management strategies," they said.
ABC News
3 hours ago
- ABC News
Matt Wright's friend denies committing perjury to protect the Netflix star, NT Supreme Court jury hears
Matt Wright's friend has denied committing perjury out of loyalty to the celebrity croc wrangler after accusations he became "tangled in [his] own lies" during the trial. Mr Wright has pleaded not guilty in the Northern Territory Supreme Court to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice in the aftermath of a fatal 2022 helicopter crash. Catch up on today's live coverage of Matt Wright's Supreme Court trial. The crash killed his Netflix co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson and badly injured pilot Sebastian Robinson but Mr Wright is not accused of any wrongdoing in relation to the accident itself. Instead, prosecutors allege he tried to frustrate the investigation that followed in a bid to cover up shoddy record keeping in his chopper business, including by asking Mr Robinson to doctor flight records. On Wednesday, Mr Wright's employee and friend Tim Johnston told the court his boss had become "irate" and was "at 11 out of 10" after finding out he had taken items from Mr Robinson's Brisbane hospital room after the crash. Mr Johnston told the jury he was in Brisbane on holiday when a mutual friend, Jai Tomlinson, asked him to "pick something up" from Mr Robinson's mother, Noelene Chellingworth, but he had "no idea" what it was. "How do you pick something up that you don't now what it is?" Crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC asked. "You ask someone for it and grab it and pick it up," Mr Johnston replied. "How did you know what you were picking up?" "That was not for me to know, I was asked to pick something up." Mr Johnston said after Ms Chellingworth handed him a "folded-up A4 bit of paper" he went outside Mr Robinson's room and asked the injured pilot's brother if there was "anything else you want me to take back". "He had a little backpack there and in his backpack there was a book and a phone and various other things," he said. "He got them both out but he didn't want to give me the phone." Mr Johnston said he then took the diary and piece of paper and went to catch a taxi but called Mr Wright before leaving the hospital grounds. "I told him what I'd brought back and mate, he went, he got very irate, very irate," he said. "About what?" Mr Gullaci asked. "Taking the diary," Mr Johnston replied. "I can't recall in detail what he said but I know when Matt gets irate and he was at 11 out of 10 that day. "He told me that I've done the wrong thing and I need to get it back up to Noelene." After the lunch break, Mr Gullaci suggested it was actually Mr Wright who had instructed Mr Johnston to collect the items and asked him if "you understand what perjury is". "Are you still prepared to tell lies for Matt Wright in that scenario?" he asked. "I have never been prepared to tell lies for Matt Wright," Mr Johnston replied. "I'm putting to you directly that what you want to do, and out of loyalty and out of friendship I can understand it, you want to protect Mr Wright at all costs?" "Disagree." "And you are prepared to tell blatant lies if in your mind it protects Mr Wright?" "No." Mr Gullaci also suggested there were "critical differences" between the account Mr Johnston gave in a pre-trial hearing in July and his evidence on Wednesday. "That's because you became tangled in your own lies," Mr Gullaci suggested. "Disagree," Mr Johnston replied. Mr Tomlinson also took the stand on Wednesday and denied ever asking anyone to "go and collect some items" from Mr Robinson before visiting him in hospital with Mr Wright. "At any point before your visit, had you done any of those things, that is, ask anyone to go there and get particular items from Mr Robinson?" Mr Gullaci asked. "No," Mr Tomlinson replied. The trial continues in Darwin on Thursday when Mr Tomlinson will resume his evidence.
ABC News
4 hours ago
- ABC News
Wagga Wagga graphic artist pleads not guilty to Nazi symbols charge
The lawyer of a graphic artist charged over a satirical poster depicting Liberal politicians and billionaires in Nazi uniforms says the law is being weaponised to stifle protest. Michael Agzarian was charged with one count of displaying Nazi symbols by a public act without lawful excuse, after he displayed posters depicting Coalition politicians and Australian billionaires as German World War II soldiers in his shop window before this year's federal election. Supporters of the graphic designer gathered outside Wagga Wagga courthouse on Wednesday, carrying placards stating "satire is not a crime". The 69-year-old's lawyer, Nick Hanna, entered a plea of not guilty on his client's behalf. The law criminalising the display of Nazi symbols in New South Wales was passed in August 2022. Speaking after the court appearance, Mr Hanna said the law was not being used as it was intended. "This offence provision is not being used to combat Nazism or far right extremism or racism, but rather to be weaponised against people who are protesting against injustices that are being carried out," he said. The posters, displayed in a Wagga Wagga shopfront during the March federal election campaign, allegedly depicted Riverina MP Michael McCormack, former opposition leader Peter Dutton, mining magnate Gina Rinehart, and billionaire businessman and politician Clive Palmer dressed as Nazis. Mr Hanna said it was important that artists were free to express their political views. "Whether you agree or disagree with what Mr Agzarian has expressed in his artwork, I hope we can all agree that people should be able to express their political views through art," he said. Leigh Swansborough was outside the courthouse to support Mr Agzarian and the concept of freedom of speech. "I don't think Wagga really appreciates the brilliance of this man, and his art should be in a national gallery," she said. The matter was adjourned until next month.
