On Wednesday the 29th of October 2008, at approximately 11:50 pm our local 157 year old hotel on the Old Calder Highway was gutted by fire.  Diggers Rest CFA along with about 55 fire-fighters from neighbouring regions battled the blaze, but were unsuccessful in saving the historic building.  The damage bill is estimated to be approximately one million dollars.

The Diggers Rest Hotel had been closed for two months prior to the fire due to renovations and was reported to re-open before Christmas.

Detectives from the Melton Crime Investigation Unit are investigating the fire and believe the circumstances to be suspicious.

Police are requesting assistance from the public.  If you or anybody at your residence might have observed any person, vehicle at the hotel around that time or have any other information that might be of assistance to this investigation, please contact Crime Stoppers on Freecall 1800 333 000

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