00:02A narrow escape for a family of five.
00:05A home in Caulfield North went up in flames about half past eleven last night.
00:10It was obvious there was not just a fire but something very flammable because the smoke
00:15was very acrid and it was very thick.
00:17Neighbours awoke to loud bangs and a few tried to douse the flames themselves with garden
00:22hoses until fire crews arrived.
00:25Explosions were just occurring and with each explosion the flames were getting higher and
00:29higher.
00:29An elderly couple, a father and two children were safely evacuated thanks to the help of
00:35their own security guard.
00:37Multiple neighbours here have told us the family is quiet and keeps to themselves.
00:42One neighbour said the private security guard was only hired in recent days.
00:47Detectives are investigating whether there are any links to the wave of fire bombings and
00:51shootings targeting licensed premises across inner Melbourne.
00:55And it's a wave that is only gathering pace.
00:57Another bar in Chapel Street, Paran, rammed by a car.
01:01The glass doors smashed in and jerry cans left on the stairs.
01:05Police believe the offenders were interrupted before igniting a fire.
01:09It's kind of scary.
01:11It is becoming common on Chapel Street now or around this area anyway.
01:14There's been more than a dozen arson attacks in recent weeks on hospitality venues believed
01:19to be linked to organised crime and the illicit alcohol trade.
01:22This is disgraceful behaviour that is not going to be tolerated at all by Victoria Police.
01:29The Operation Eclipse Task Force has made 27 arrests and laid more than 140 charges so far.
01:35The
01:36People have literally been dropping off.
Comments