An Essendon home owned by the sister of gangland boss Rocco Arico has been “completely destroyed” in what police are calling a suspicious arson attack.
Emergency services were called to the house on Fitzgerald Road at about 2.50am on Monday after multiple reports that the home was engulfed in flames.
FRV crews were able to contain the fire to the back of the home, where the roof had collapsed, and prevent the fire from spreading to nearby properties. The blaze was deemed under control within half an hour.
Police have since established a crime scene, with fire investigators due to determine the exact cause of the blaze later on Monday.
“At this stage, the fire is being treated as suspicious,” police said in a statement. “The investigation is ongoing.”
According to land title records, the home, which police said was unoccupied at the time of the fire, is owned by Antonella Misale – Arico’s sister. It is unclear if she had been living at the property.
Arico has finished his term of imprisonment for drug trafficking and is currently in immigration detention, set for deportation to Italy, pending the outcome of his appeal against convictions for drug trafficking, extortion, and intentionally causing injury.
He is challenging his convictions on the basis that his former lawyer, slain gangland solicitor Joseph “Pino” Acquaro, may have contaminated his prosecution by working as a police snitch.
Police officers, detectives and fire crews remained at the home throughout the morning, with arson chemists also called to the scene.
A ‘for lease’ sign stands in the front yard, and The Age understands the property was due to be leased to new tenants in the coming days. Calls to the real estate agent went unanswered.
One woman, who has lived in the area for 45 years, said she was concerned at the dramatic rise in violent crimes in the area, particularly in the last few months.
“It really used to be such a quiet place. Now, you worry when you leave the house.”
The front of the home has escaped relatively unscathed, but the back of the house is in ruins. Burnt beams can be seen hanging from the remains of the roof.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said frequent firebombing attacks were causing great concern in the community.
“Victoria Police are throwing everything into both responding to these incidents but also the deep investigative work to reach into what and who is behind these attacks,” she told ABC radio. “It’s being driven by gutless thugs and an element of young people being exploited.”
She said the government had increased jail time for offenders who recruit young people into crime, as well as toughening bail laws and introducing adult time for violent crime for young offenders.
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