Detective Senior Constable Richard Hughes, of the Warrnambool police Criminal Investigation Unit, said emergency services were called to the scene of a small fire on Howard Street in Warrnambool about 9.15pm. 

"Unknown offenders have used unknown means to start a small fire on the fence palings situated at the south-east fence line of the property," he said. 

"The fire has caused one paling to fall onto a vehicle parked in an adjacent driveway. The heat has caused a hole to burn through the vehicle, causing moderate damage."

Senior Constable Hughes said neighbouring residents were home at the time of the incident and were alerted to the fire by a passerby. 

He said police did not know the cause of the fire and were yet to determine if it was suspicious or not. 

Warrnambool CFA station officer David Black said two Warrnambool appliances attended the scene. 

"Due to a swift response it didn't take long to get the fire under control," he said. 

Anyone with information should call Warrnambool police on 5560 1333 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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