Man charged over Spotswood law firm fire and firearms offences

Police have charged a 32-year-old man with arson and multiple serious offences following a destructive fire at a Spotswood law firm in May and a separate shooting incident at an Altona North tobacco store weeks earlier.

The charges represent a significant development in investigations into two separate incidents that alarmed Melbourne's western suburbs and raised concerns about escalating violence in the region.

The Spotswood fire incident

The law firm fire erupted in the early hours of 26 May when a utility vehicle rammed a converted factory building on Hudsons Road around 2:30am. The collision sparked a major blaze that forced sleeping residents from neighbouring properties to evacuate.

More than 50 firefighters fought the intense fire for approximately two hours before bringing it under control. The blaze caused significant damage to the law firm housed within the converted factory, with additional damage spreading to nearby commercial premises.

The fire forced a number of sleeping residents to evacuate neighbouring properties, with firefighters battling the blaze for two hours before containment was achieved.

Connected firearms charges

Detectives have also charged the man in relation to a shooting at an Altona North business on 13 May—two weeks prior to the Spotswood fire. A firearm was discharged into the front window of a tobacco store during the incident.

The firearms-related charges include possession of a firearm whilst subject to a firearm prohibition order (counted twice), possession of a traffickable quantity of firearms (two or more), reckless conduct endangering life, possession of a drug of dependence, going equipped to steal, and handling stolen goods.

Summary of charges

The 32-year-old faces an extensive charge sheet spanning both incidents:

• Arson and reckless conduct endangering life (related to the Spotswood fire)
• Driving whilst disqualified
• Breaching bail conditions
• Firearm prohibition order violations
• Possession of multiple firearms
• Drug possession offences
• Going equipped to steal and handling stolen goods

Custody proceedings

The man has been remanded in custody pending further court appearances. Police have signalled that additional charges may follow as investigations continue.

The incidents highlight ongoing concerns about crime in Melbourne's western suburbs, with police and the community responding to what appeared to be a coordinated series of serious offences within a fortnight.

Originally reported by ABC News