Defiant Kangaroo Flat business owner refuses to be intimidated by arson
A business owner is refusing to be intimidated and has vowed to stand firm after her business was subjected to a second suspected arson attack. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue. . .
A business owner is refusing to be intimidated and has vowed to stand firm after her business was subjected to a second suspected arson attack. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue readingSave 30%All articles from our website& appThe digital version ofToday'sPaperAll otherin your areaMelissa Bateson co-owns Carpet Court on High Street in Kangaroo Flat with her husband Matthew. About 6. 30pm on Monday, July 6, emergency crews rushed to the business property to find a shipping container inflames. Melissa Bateson with husband Matthew and daughter Hollie. Picture by Enzo TomasielloNo one was on the premises at the time and firefighters were able tocontain the fire. Ms Bateson has security cameras located around her business which captured footage of the incident. "Someone's come across from the backside of the property and across the grass and hid behind the tree wearing all black and a backpack," she said. Ms Bateson said the footage shows an individual entering the property and shortly afterwards, flames erupted on the property. "It caught the fence and then it caught . . . a little shipping container that we had specially made to store all our underlay in," she said. The tollShe estimates the fire caused more than $20,000 in damage to the underlay alone, not including any damage to the wider property. "It's just such a waste and a shame because we just got that stock on Friday," Ms Bateson said. "But it's such a shame to just throw it all in the bin because it's all just been ruined, just because they came in and lit it up. "It's very disheartening. "The damaged shipping container. Picture by Enzo TomasielloPolice are investigating the incident and whether it is linked to other fires. Ms Bateson said this was not the first time the business has been targeted, with a previous fire-related incident about one year ago. Police have not confirmed whether they believe the two fires are linked. Despite the setback, Ms Bateson is standing her ground and refuses to be intimidated, focusing instead on installing new security systems. Melissa Bateson with husband Matthew and daughter Hollie and the fire-damaged stock that will now have to be thrown out. Picture by Enzo Tomasiello"What really annoys us is that young kids or young people are just doing it out of boredom," she said. "It just makes us angry, but we'll still be there. "Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has vision or further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online atwww. crimestoppersvic. com. auMore from National NewsAs it happensBreaking news alertBe the first to know when news breaks.