Suspicious Geelong West fire triggers rare vacant block sale

The police investigation into last year’s suspicious fire at 20 Clarence St, Geelong West, remains open. Picture: Brad Fleet

A Geelong West property ravaged by a suspicious fire is looking for a fresh start a year on from the blaze.

The three-bedroom weatherboard house that formerly occupied 20 Clarence St sustained significant damage when it was engulfed by flames last May and has since been demolished.

Now the 418sq m parcel of vacant land has been listed for sale with $675,000-$725,000 price hopes.

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The now vacant block at 20 Clarence St, Geelong West, is a rarity so close to Pakington St.

The property is just a few doors down from Pakington St.

A police investigation into the blaze, which long-term resident Avril Leishman escaped unharmed, remains ongoing.

“The fire is still being treated as suspicious, and the exact cause is under investigation,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.

The destruction of the house creates a rare blank canvas in a premium Geelong West position just a few doors down from Pakington St’s shopping and cafe strip.

Whitford, Newtown director John Moran said he’d already had an offer on the property and several other inquiries within days of it hitting the market.

“In terms of a block that close to Pakington St I went back the last few years and I can’t find anything that has been vacant land in that proximity so it’s a pretty rare offering,” he said.

“Obviously it is an unfortunate situation with the fire but with the heritage overlay you would not have been able to pull the house down so every cloud has a silver lining.”

The front of the house was significantly damaged. Picture: Brad Fleet

The front section of the character house that once stood at the property was burnt beyond salvation.

Mr Moran said the fact it had been demolished created a freedom not usually found in the heritage neighbourhood.

He expects a stand-alone dwelling to be constructed there.

“With this one you can just go for it,” he said.

Only a handful of vacant blocks have been listed for sale in Geelong West in recent times, with only one changing hands last year.

Records show that 798sq m allotment at 12 Sargeant St, Geelong West, once part of the Ropeworks site, sold for $680,000 in August.

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