‘Haunted’ house blaze

By Sarah Schwager
CRANBOURNE’S infamous ‘haunted house’ has gone up in flames.
The old derelict house on Russell Street has been the subject of a campaign by local residents and Mayfield Ward councillor Steve Beardon to clean up the streets and make them safer.
The property received notoriety at the end of last year when Cr Beardon was questioned by police after he circulated a poster saying that he would take matters into his own hands just before the external wall of the house was set fire to, causing little damage.
At 5.45am on Sunday the house went up in smoke after fire was deliberately lit inside the house.
Police said bits of timber and other materials had been used to light several fires inside the house, causing $40,000 damage.
The CFA determined the fire was arson.
Cr Beardon said it was unfortunate the house had burnt down and was glad no other properties in the street had been affected.
“I am grateful no one else was hurt,” he said. “I just wish these things didn’t happen. It’s very stressful for the residents and for me.
“People just want to have a nice street and the properties maintained. That house has been earmarked for development but just sat there for years.
“We need some sort of by-law putting the onus on the owner to make sure properties are maintained and secured from squatters, drug dealers and homeless people.
“People deserve to live in a nice, safe environment.”
The Russell Street property was originally fenced off with temporary fencing by Casey Council but was later removed and the doors and windows boarded up.
“Unfortunately I got my own backside kicked when out of frustration and lack of action I proposed to break the law myself and trespass on the property and try and make it safe,” Cr Beardon said.
“The law says you’re not allowed to trespass but yet kids were putting themselves at risk playing on the property amongst drug paraphernalia.”
Cr Beardon said the fire raised a more important issue of homelessness in the City of Casey.
“I think we need to look bigger than at a halfway centre,” Cr Beardon said.
“The infrastructure and care that needs to go with that needs to be there as well. The system doesn’t offer enough care.
“This is not the only property that has squatters and I regularly receive calls from residents complaining about derelict properties.
“Homelessness is obviously an issue with many having no choice but to seek shelter and a roof over their head. It’s a difficult issue and one that Cranbourne is experiencing.
“Personally, I believe more needs to be done to protect our community from the dangers these properties pose.”