Vic: Cause of fire not expected to be known for several days
MELBOURNE, Dec 15 AAP - The cause of a blaze which ripped through a Melbourne motorcycledealership leaving a multi-million dollar damages bill could take days to determine, investigatorssaid today.
The overnight blaze destroyed Victoria's largest Harley-Davidson motorbike dealership,Harley Heaven, causing damage estimated at well over $4 million.
Fire broke out in the large CBD sales, repair and spare parts complex at around 8pm(AEDT) yesterday, forcing the evacuation of about 150 people from one of the city's largestgay saunas, Steamworks.
Detective Sergeant Andrew Kerr of the Arson Squad said problems accessing the firstfloor storeroom, where the fire is believed to have started, had delayed investigations.
"Last night it was too hot for investigators to go on the scene; we've had a closerlook this morning, there's extensive damage," Detective Sergeant Kerr said.
A building surveyor was examining the Elizabeth Street premises to check the stabilityof the building before investigators conducted further examinations.
Sgt Kerr said the investigators' initial task would be to find out how the fire started.
He said it was too early to say whether the fire was the cause of arson.
The investigation would be a painstaking one and may take some time, he said.
Sgt Kerr appealed to witnesses who were in the Elizabeth Street area at the time ofblaze, about 8pm Saturday, to contact Crimestoppers.
Toxic fumes and billowing dark smoke blanketed much of the CBD at the height of the fire.
Along with the 150 people evacuated from Steamworks, another 50 were forced from nearbyshops and cafes.
It took firefighters around 40 minutes to control the blaze, which was fuelled by explodingpetrol tanks and stores of oils, solvents, motorcycle tyres and spare parts.
Elizabeth Street was closed off until after midday today.
AAP cm/clr/was/br
KEYWORD: CYCLES LEAD
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