Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal car crash that destroyed a Tarneit childcare centre.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Road Policing Deb Robertson said an operational response unit had been patrolling the area when it spotted a car driving along Tarneit Road about 4am on Monday.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Robertson said police did a U-turn and had switched on their lights and sirens when officers saw a flash in the car, followed by smoke and flames.
Police then witnessed the car go off the road and drive into the Kool Kidz childcare centre, setting the building alight.
The driver got out of the car but only managed to get a short distance away from the blaze.
Police attempted to rescue the man but were driven back by the fire, and the man died at the scene. The identity of the driver was not known when Star Weekly went to print.
Firefighters battled for several hours to bring the blaze under control.
“It is thought by the CFA that there may have been some incendiary accelerant in the vehicle at the time for it to be as intense as it was when it hit the building,” Acting Assistant Commission Robertson said.
She said it was unclear why the driver attempted to evade a routine police intercept, adding that the car was not stolen and that police attempted to pull the car over because “it was the only car on the road”.
Kool Kidz owner Ian Johnston said his priority was finding alternate arrangements for families.
“We’re working through with our insurance and making sure children have somewhere else to go,” he said.
– with The Age
