Media Release
Ripponlea synagogue fire investigation continues
Police have today confirmed the Ripponlea synagogue fire last week is being investigated as a terrorist attack.
The joint management team from Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police met with ASIO this morning and made this determination.
As such, the investigation will now formally transition from the Arson and Explosives Squad to the Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT). The JCTT involves members from Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and ASIO, and they will be supported by detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad.
This approach will also provide access to further shared resources and intelligence, in order to reach an outcome in the investigation as soon as possible as we understand the distress this has caused the broader community.
Emergency services were initially called to the fire at the Glen Eira Avenue premises about 4.10am on Friday, 6 December.
Witnesses told police that a number of offenders entered the synagogue and poured liquid on the floor before setting it alight.
The offenders were disturbed by a man attending the synagogue and subsequently fled the scene.
It’s believed at least three offenders were present at the time of the fire.
The man who witnessed the incident sustained minor injuries to his hand and received medical treatment at the scene.
A second man who was attending the synagogue at the time of the fire was not injured.
No one else was inside the premises at the time and the synagogue subsequently sustained significant damage as a result of the fire.
Police are still working to establish the exact circumstances of the fire and are treating it as a targeted incident.
The motivation for the fire remains unclear.
Experienced detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad initially attended the scene along with an arson chemist, and have been working closely with the Security Investigation Unit from Victoria Police’s Counter Terrorism Command and the Australian Federal Police since the fire occurred.
Police are keen to speak to anyone who observed any suspicious activity in the area either in the lead up to or following the fire.
They are also urging anyone who has other information about those involved in the incident and the motivation for the fire to come forward and speak to police.
A significant canvas for CCTV and other footage has taken place in the area since the incident occurred, however if there is anyone who may have CCTV or dash cam footage from the morning of the fire and is yet to speak to police, then we ask them to contact us as soon as possible.
Investigators are continuing to review footage from the area in the hope it will provide further avenues of enquiry.
At this time police have not established any links to further matters and are treating the fire as an isolated incident.
Officers are continuing to patrol the area and are working with the synagogue and Jewish community to provide further reassurance to the local community.
We understand that people are concerned following this incident, however there are currently no known or specific threats to any Victorian organisation, infrastructure or event and police encourage people to go about their daily business.
If you see or hear something that doesn’t feel right, then contact the National Security Hotline immediately on 1800 123 400.
Anyone with information about the Ripponlea fire is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online via the Crime Stoppers website.
