Lavington business Skylift Hire and Rentals is $150,000 out of pocket after one of its boom lifts was set on fire in Wodonga in the early hours of Tuesday.
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The Genie S-85 cherry picker had been rented out to Positive Electrical Services, contracted by Wodonga Council to install new lighting at Willow Park.
It was set alight about 3am with firefighters working quickly to extinguish it.
Skylift employee Dylan Van De Walle said it was the only boom the company owned with an 85-foot reach, setting future business back.
“The machine was delivered on Monday and would have been finished by lunchtime on Tuesday … then we got the phone call it was burned to the ground,” he said.
Surveying the damage on Tuesday morning, Positive Electrical Services owner Damon Ferguson said the machine was the biggest in the area.
It had been positioned in an upright position and crashed to the ground during the fire.
Detective Sergeant Graeme Simpfendorfer said the incident was being treated as arson.
“We took a few calls from the local area but we seek information from anyone who may have been up at that time or saw suspicious activity in the park late in the evening,” he said.
“It’s quite a serious offence, we’re looking at a value of well over $150,000.
“It’s very disappointing to see local infrastructure and business affected … it’s senseless.”
A Wodonga Council spokeswoman said the works were part of $338,000 upgrades installing LED sports lighting at Willow Park and St Monica’s Oval.
“Following the incident, it is expected there could be a delay in completing the project but the lights are on track to be available for use for the winter season,” she said.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
