By Brendan Rees
Counter-terrorism police are investigating the cause of a fire that engulfed the base of a mobile phone tower in Cranbourne West early on Friday morning 22 May.
Firefighters from Cranbourne and Frankston fire brigades responded to the incident on Parnell Court about 1.45am – which came narrowly close to spreading to high voltage power lines.
The blaze was brought under control just before 2am.
A Victoria Police spokesman said the fire was being investigated but had not yet been deemed suspicious.
“Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad are attending the scene,” the spokesman said.
“Police from the Counter Terrorism Command are also attending as a precaution following a number of incidents internationally where mobile phone towers have been set alight.
“Should the investigation reveal that the fire was a deliberate act, it will be treated with the utmost seriousness and the offending viewed as a potential terrorism offence.”
It’s understood a telco asset at the base of the 20-metre tall transmission tower had caught fire which spread to a telco cable.
An AusNet Services spokeswoman said no customers were affected and the fire did not spread to the high voltage power lines.
A CFA spokesperson said crews remained on scene until about 4am to monitor the incident.
Commander Paul Summons from CFA District 8 said applauded firefighters for a “great job” and putting “safety first”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
