An engine fire caused long delays on the Princes Freeway at Hernes Oak on Christmas morning after a Volkswagen Kombi van became engulfed in flames.
Police said the occupants of the vehicle noticed a petrol smell about 11.40am on Monday.
The driver was able to pull to the side of the road and remove their belongings before the van caught fire and destroyed the vehicle.
Surrounding trees in the median strip on the freeway caught fire as a result of the blaze but were brought under control by local CFA crews.
A mechanical fault is believed to the be cause of the fire.
Drug arrest
A Traralgon man has been arrested after police allegedly found a large quantity of cannabis and methylamphetamine last Wednesday.
Uniformed police from Traralgon, with the assistance of Australian Federal Police, carried out a search warrant on the Myrtle Crescent property about 6am on Wednesday, December 20.
The 26-year-old man was released on bail and will appear before the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court in April.
Bashing witnesses wanted
Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was attacked and punched in Traralgon by a group of four men on Sunday, December 17.
The incident took place on the corner of Kay and Church streets about 3.30am.
Police said the man’s head hit the ground, leaving him with serious head injuries and requiring stitches in his mouth the following morning.
The man also had a number of teeth knocked out during the attack.
Anyone with information is asked to phone Senior Constable Julia Currie at Traralgon Police Station on 5172 2700 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Churchill garden fire
A garden fire is being investigated after a section of tan bark was set alight outside a factory in Churchill on Sunday night.
Police said the occupant of the property, who lives in a residence above the factory, left the site about 7.30pm on Sunday, December 24.
When he returned to the Webster Street address about an hour later, he noticed a small fire in the front garden bed of the property. Anyone with information is asked to phone Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit on 5131 5000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
