A serial firebug may have struck for the third year in a row at the Wangaratta Showgrounds.
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An old building, which was previously used by football umpires, was set alight on Sunday at about 9.30pm, sparking multiple calls to triple zero.
The fire damaged the side of the building located just inside the main gates on Evans Street, where a rubbish skip full of cardboard had been placed.
Police were treating the fire as suspicious and had forensic experts examine the scene to find out if the fire started in the skip as suspected.
The fire was started a day after the Wangaratta Show wrapped up on Saturday, which Wangaratta Agricultural Society president Bernie Evans said had become a trend.
“There’s a bit of a firebug here, it happens every year,” he said.
“Last year he lit a couple of portable toilets.
“This year he’s gone for bigger and better things and it looks like he’s damaged the building.”
Fires occurring the day after the show go back as far as 2013, which Mr Evans said was concerning and he believed the culprit may be connected to the show.
Fires in the past have also been contained to rubbish skips.
Wangaratta Detective Sergeant Chris Hill said police did not have a suspect yet, but would look into the connection between the fires.
“Police are investigating whether it was linked to a series of fires at other show locations,” he said.
CFA station officer David Brown praised the efforts and “a lot of hard work” from firefighters to save the building and the memorabilia inside, which could never be replaced.
“It was pretty warm and windy last night so it was a good save out there,” he said.
“There’s minimal damage inside.”
The fire still caused significant damage the to wall and roof of the building.
Firefighters from Wangaratta and South Wangaratta attended the scene.
Anyone with information on the suspicious showgrounds fire is asked to contact Wangaratta police on (03) 5723 0888 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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