A man has been taken into police custody and will be interviewed in relation to a car torched in Port Fairy in the early hours of this morning. 

Detective Senior Constable Richard Hughes, of the Warrnambool police crime investigation unit, said the man is expected to be charged with arson and conduct endangering persons.

More to come. 

Earlier, 11.15am:

The Ford Focus sedan torched in Port Fairy overnight was purchased just six weeks ago, the victim's father says. 

Craig Hood, the co-owner of Port Fairy's The Hub restaurant, said he woke to his next door neighbour banging on his front door about 1.30am. 

"The car was fully alight," he said. 

"The next door neighbour had the garden hose on it until two fire trucks turned up to put it out. It could have blown up most of Port Fairy if it wasn't for that." 

Mr Hood said his son, aged 20, was pretty upset. 

"I think not knowing why it happened or whether it was a targeted attack is the worst part," he said. 

"We've lived here about 20-years. We aren't fearful, just sad for society." 

Earlier,  8.45am 

It is not known if a car torched in Port Fairy overnight is linked to last month’s crime spree that saw several homes robbed and four cars stolen. 

Detective Senior Constable Richard Hughes, of the Warrnambool police crime investigation unit, said a silver Ford Focus sedan was parked on the nature strip outside a residential address in Port Fairy’s Campbell Street overnight. 

“At about 1am a witness was asleep in her bedroom adjacent to the address when she was woken by a knock to the door,” he said. 

“The witness observed flames coming from underneath the victim’s vehicle that was parked about 15 metres from their front door.” 

The fire is being treated as suspicious. 

Detective Senior Constable Hughes said crime scene services attended Wednesday morning.

“This follows a spate of crimes in Port Fairy between October 29 and October 30,” he said. 

“At this time it is not known if the incidents are linked, or if it is a targeted attack.

“I urge anyone with information, any residents or neighbours who might have heard or seen something suspicious, or anyone who may have been walking in the area at that time to contact myself at the Warrnambool CIU.” 

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

Earlier, 7.45am

Police are seeking information after a car was torched in Port Fairy overnight.

The Ford Focus was parked outside the owner’s Campbell Street property and set on fire by unknown persons about 1am. 

CFA attended the scene and extinguished the fire. 

The vehicle was extensively damaged. 

Investigations are continuing.

Warrnambool police have urged anyone with information or CCTV footage to contact the station on 5560 1333 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Meanwhile, a 41-year-old Colac man was arrested after assaulting a man aged in his 70s on Tuesday. 

The man was arrested at a property in Camperdown about 2.30pm. 

He was lodged in the Warrnambool police cells and will appear in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with assault and family violence-related offences.  

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