Police and the Country Fire Authority attended a fire at a metal scrap yard in Commercial Road, Morwell about 10.30am on Monday.
Morwell police Constable Brett English said an employee at the business was burning-off in the yard before the fire got out of control and CFA were called to ensure it did not spread.
Const English said there was nothing suspicious about the incident and the man was probably “just a bit optimistic” about the fire.
He said witnesses estimated the flames reached about four metres high.
“It was more or less extinguished by the time we got here,” Const English said.
Drug raids and seizure in the Valley
Police from the Morwell Divisional Tasking Unit and Victoria Police Drug Taskforce have executed a series of search warrants across the Latrobe Valley over the past week.
The raids were conducted on addresses in Churchill, Moe, Traralgon and Newborough.
The raids resulted in the seizure of more than 1000 cannabis plants at various stages of maturity.
One of the ‘crop houses’ resulted in more than 500 plants being seized.
“The joint operation with detectives from the Drug Task Force was a success,” Sergeant Brent Muir said.
“We are confident that these seizures will impact the supply of cannabis in the Latrobe Valley and surrounding areas.”
It also resulted in the arrest of two men who have been charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of cannabis.
Suspicious activity can be reported at any time via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make an online report via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Witnesses sought
Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a woman was sexually assaulted in Morwell on Tuesday night. The incident occurred just off Buckley Street near the intersection of Church Street about 10pm.
Police said anyone who witnessed a suspicious man in the area around the time of the incident should come forward.
Anyone with information is urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au
Booze bus in town
Last weekend police breath tested 2671 drivers across the Latrobe Valley in a three-day blitz.
Two people returned positive results to drink driving, while nine people were drug tested with one person returning a positive result for drug driving.
The operation was carried out by the Road Policing and Drug and Alcohol Section from Melbourne.
Police said it was a pleasing result and reminded people to obey the law.
Traralgon race track fire
Traralgon police are investigating a small fire which occurred about 9pm on Thursday, 6 April near the Traralgon race track.
Police were notified by a witness who saw the smoke and phoned Triple Zero.
Police and CFA attended and extinguished the fire which caused minimal damage.
Police ask anyone with information in relation to the incident to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Burglary at old mill site
Moe police are investigating a burglary at the old Rocklea Spinning Mill site on Waterloo Road in Moe about 4am on Monday.
Police said a witness heard someone running away from the property.
It was alleged a fork lift was interfered with resulting in the theft of a fire extinguisher from the machine.
Police ask anyone with information in relation to the burglary to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report via crimestoppersvic.com.au
