Police investigate Pakenham hotel fire
Police are now investigating a case of arson at the Pakenham hotel
The say the arsonist tried to burn down the historic pub, causing $250,000 worth of damage.
Police believe the fire erupted at the hotel a month ago, on November 15 in the early hours of the morning at around 1.20am.
The fire ripped through the upper level of the building.
It left a trail of destruction which has since been valued at $250,000.
Fortunately, as it was in the early morning, no-one was injured.
‘Police say a man was seen near the hotel just before the fire started.
Police are looking at the theory that the arsonist might have been a disgruntled customer.
The Pakenham is of historic importance and is on the Victorian Heritage Council database.
Built in 1928-29 on a traditional hotel site, the hotel has been listed as of significance to the Cardinia Shire.
The two-storey red brick and stucco Spanish style building was an important meeting place for the district farming community as well as being one of the town's most substantial and modern buildings over a long period.
Detective Senior Constable Angela Butler, of the Cardinia Crime Investigation Unit, said the only reason the hotel was not destroyed was because of the good work of the CFA firefighters.
“It is an important, historical landmark and somebody has tried to burn it down,” Sen Con Butler told the Herald Sun.
“It was lucky the CFA were able to save it.
“It put the pub out of business for four days, before they could operate again.
“I would like to know why somebody would do this. It might be that it is a disgruntled patron but we just don’t know at this stage.”
Police have released images and CCTV of a man who they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries and are appealing for anybody driving or walking in the area around the time to get in touch and they are asking motorists with a dash cam who were in the area at the time to check their footage.
“There would have been people in cars in the area, delivery truck drivers and people at the train station,” Sen Con Butler told the Herald Sun.
“Hopefully somebody knows something and gets in touch.
“A lot of local people regularly go to that pub and have good memories of it.
“This person has tried to ruin an important part of local history.”
by Leon Gettler, December 18th 2017
