Recently crowned Cranbourne CFA firefighter of the year Dave Prowse was on hand to help extinguish a suspicious house fire in Stawell Street on Monday.By Alison Noonan
POLICE are treating as suspicious a fire that tore through a vacant house in Cranbourne on Monday.
CFA crews were called to the old weatherboard home in Stawell Street about 4.45pm following reports from neighbours that the building was alight.
It took five units from Cranbourne, Hallam and Clyde about 20 minutes to control the blaze, which is believed to have started in a rear bedroom.
Police are investigating reports from witnesses who claimed to see five children running away from the house about the time of the incident.
The blaze capped off a busy time for volunteer Dave Prowse, who was crowned Cranbourne CFA firefighter of the year for the second year in a row on the weekend.
Mr Prowse showed why he had retained the title, helping to extinguish the fire before it spread to nearby properties.
However, the fiveyear brigade member said it was his popularity that snared him the coveted award.
“I’m pretty popular down at the station. “The award is based on the sort of person you are, how well you get along with the members and the time you give up to volunteer.
“It really recognises the sacrifices you make as part of the job,” he said.
Anyone with information on Monday’s blaze is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Cranbourne Police on 5995 4681.
