Councillor quizzed on ‘haunted house’ fire

By Sarah Schwager
CRANBOURNE police have interviewed Casey councillor Steve Beardon over a flier he printed late last year.
The flier, circulated to the media, council and others, called for “volunteers to break the law and trespass to help clean up a derelict property in Cranbourne”.
The house has been dubbed “the haunted house” by residents.
On 30 November last year, the News reported police became concerned about the flier after someone set fire to the Russell Street house on 22 November.
The fire was put out before it caused major damage.
Detective Sergeant Larry Grimshaw from Cranbourne CIU said Cr Beardon was brought in last Thursday night and asked to explain why he made the fliers.
He was released pending further inquiries.
Det Sgt Grimshaw said Cr Beardon was now assisting police with their inquiries on the fire.
Cr Beardon could face charges of incitement to trespass if police find reason to believe someone set fire to the house as a result of the flier.
Cr Beardon said he was helping police find the culprit.
He said he had been warned by police not to incite people to trespass on the property and to let them know if he had any information on someone doing damage to the house.
“The place has been vandalised from the day I started as a councillor,” he said.
“My main goal is to get the place cleaned up. The grass is as tall as me.”
He urged people to contact the police if they knew of trespassers on the property.