UPDATE 5pm, Wednesday February 6
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Police have arrested and interviewed two Ararat men in relation to a house fire on Viewpoint Road on Tuesday.
Arson investigators inspected the scene on Tuesday and deem the fire suspicious.
Ararat Criminal Investigation Unit detectives executed two search warrants in Ararat on Wednesday, arresting two men.
”We arrested a 57-year-old male who has been interviewed in relation to the fire,” Ararat CIU Detective Senior Constable Mal Wineberg said.
“He has been charged and bailed until April 1 in relation to separate drug-related matters.
“Inquiries are still ongoing in relation to the fire.
“We also arrested a 22-year-old Ararat male who was released pending inquiries, with no charges laid as yet.”
Detective Senior Constable Mal Wineberg said police are still seeking the assistance of the public to find out what happened with the fire.
“We are appealing for any witnesses to come forward and supply any footage they might have or tell us anything they might have seen,” he said.
Earlier
Police are investigating an Ararat house fire from just after midnight on Tuesday.
Ararat Fire Brigade members responded to calls of a unit on fire on Viewpoint Road in Ararat, finding a structure on fire at the back of the unit.
“Two brigade trucks and approximately 20 firefighters responded,” CFA District 16 operations officer Ian Morley said.
“The fire was quickly brought under control within 30 minutes.”
Two firefighters sustained minor injuries while bringing the fire under control.
“One had a minor facial burn and the other had some smoke inhalation,” Mr Morley said.
“They went to hospital but were released on the same evening.
“Firefighting is inherently dangerous and sometimes injuries do happen. We always look into how we can keep our firefighters as safe as possible.
“The occupier of the house was not injured in the fire.”
The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined however investigators are treating the fire as suspicious.
The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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