Melbourne firies hit 'axe-wielding arsonist' with the hose
Melbourne fire crews turned their hoses on a man who was rampaging through suburban streets with an axe while setting things on fire overnight.
Emergency services were in Meadow Heights responding to calls a man had set three cars on fire and threatened residents with an axe.
The 25-year-old man allegedly set fire to a house, two cars, a ute and bins before fire crews had to hit him with the hose.
"We turned out for a car fire and in the process of extinguishing that we had people approach and say there was a house fire down the road," an MFB spokesman said.
"We did the best we could with the car and got quickly down to the unit."
After trying to set a firetruck ablaze, the man allegedly threatened two people with the axe and tried to steal their wallets.
Fire crews managed to subdue the man before a dog squad unit arrived. Frightened residents around the area were advised to stay indoors.
The Tarneit man suffered some bites and remains in hospital under police guard.
