A family was left shaken after a car was deliberately set alight outside their Oakleigh East home in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Emergency services were called to 8 Kuranda Crescent, Oakleigh East 3166, around 5am on 8 October 2026, where a White 2019 Ford Raptor dual cab ute was engulfed in flames in the driveway. The incident occurred amid a series of overnight vehicle fires across Melbourne’s south-east, with police investigating whether the attacks are connected.
Fire Rescue Victoria crews arrived in approximately three minutes and requested Victoria Police attendance after identifying suspicious circumstances. The blaze was fully extinguished by 5:20am.
The male owner of the dual cab ute was treated at the scene by Ambulance Victoria for smoke inhalation. Two other occupants were inside the home at the time, including the owner’s young daughter who sheltered in place as emergency crews battled the fire.
The vehicle suffered extensive damage, with flames destroying much of the engine bay and damaging its fibreglass front quarter panels. The tyres were also affected, while the rear window and tail lights were shattered.
Famous crime scene reporter and photographer, Lord Murray Schoorman, of Peak Hour Images, attended the scene later on Thursday and spoke with Jacob Reiner, the owner of the vehicle and his brother who was visiting. The family was understood to be distressed by the attack, which they believe is targeted. It brought fire dangerously close to their home while they slept as fire damage was clearly evident in the front window near where the vehicle was parked.
Victoria Police have established crime scenes as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the fires.
