Overview
- Emergency crews arrived about 2:50am to find a car bearing a “Happy Chanukah” sign set alight in a Balaclava Road driveway in Melbourne’s St Kilda East.
- Detectives say the fire is suspicious and have identified a person who may assist the investigation, with active efforts under way to locate them.
- No injuries were reported, and residents were evacuated as a precaution, with community leaders saying the affected family is safe.
- CSG Victoria reports heightened patrols and urged vigilance, asking the public to share CCTV or dashcam footage with Crime Stoppers.
- The incident follows the Dec. 14 Bondi Beach attack that killed 15 people, drawing condemnation from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and fresh calls from Jewish leaders for stronger action on antisemitism.