Victoria
Suspicious fire destroys historic former Collingwood picture theatre
A suspicious overnight fire has gutted the 105-year-old former Austral Picture Theatre in Melbourne's inner-north suburb of Collingwood.
An overnight fire has gutted a historic landmark in Melbourne's inner north, destroying the 105-year-old former Austral Picture Theatre in Collingwood.
According to reporting by wire services, police have commenced an active investigation into the blaze, which they are currently treating as suspicious.
Emergency services were called to the heritage-listed site during the night following reports that the vacant building was alight. Fire crews arrived to find the structure heavily involved in fire, with flames engulfing the interior of the historic venue. Despite the immediate and extensive efforts of firefighters to contain the flames, the building has been completely gutted.
At this stage, authorities have not released specific details regarding how the fire started or whether any suspects have been identified. It remains unconfirmed if anyone was inside the building when the fire broke out, and emergency services have not reported any injuries resulting from the incident.
The former Austral Picture Theatre was a significant piece of Collingwood's local cultural history. Having stood on the site for more than a century, the building was a well-known feature of the local streetscape, although it had ceased operating as a cinema many decades ago. The loss of the structure represents a blow to the architectural heritage of the area.
Arson squad detectives and forensic specialists are expected to examine the scene once the structure is deemed safe to enter by engineers. Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed unusual activity in the Collingwood area overnight, or who may have relevant dashcam footage, to contact Crime Stoppers.
Watch for updates from Victoria Police as arson chemists examine the site to determine the cause of the blaze.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
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