A MASSIVE fire has wrecked one of Australia’s most famous horseracing tracks – with a suspect now charged with arson.

Some 65 firefighters and 15 engines battled the large blaze at the 166-year-old Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne.

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The flames engulfed parts of the grandstand as well as a restaurant.

The situation led to authorities issuing a a smoke warning in the area.

Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) announced crews responded about 6.20am on Tuesday to reports of an incident on Station Street.

A video was posted on social media and showed flames at the back of the stand’s first level at about 7am.

FRV added that the response was escalated to third-alarm level but was contained to the centre of the grandstand and deemed under control by 7.09am.

An advice message was then issued to the relevant areas around the incident.

An alert said: “There is currently no threat to the community, but you should continue to stay informed and monitor conditions.”

A 51-year-old man was arrested at a train station around 15 miles from the racecourse seven hours after the fire erupted.

Local reports claimed CCTV ‘clearly showed’ a person setting fire to a wheelie bin at the course.

The male was detained after residents also reported a number of grass fires in the area.

He was charged with four counts of arson, two counts of trespass and one count each of burglary, criminal damage and theft.

The male has been remanded in custody and will appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

A Victoria Police statement said: “Investigators are investigating links between the three grass fires, in the vicinity of Attenborough Park and reserve in Mordialloc about 12.30pm local time, and the grandstand fire.

“The fires are all believed to be suspicious.

“The man will now be interviewed by detectives.”

While a statement from Fire Rescue Victoria said: “The Norman Robinson Stand and 1876 bar were significantly affected by fire while another bar and an adjoining stand sustained some water damage.

“Quick work by fire crews and an effective sprinkler system prevented any extension of the fire to adjoining stands.

“No injuries to course employees or the public were reported.”

Photos posted online showed the extensive damage done to the grandstand – a listed building – with shattered glass and rubble everywhere.

Rows of plastic seats in the grandstand had melted and a smoke warning was issued to the surrounding area as it billowed out of the two-storey Norman Robinson Stand.

The beloved venue is one of Australia’s biggest landmarks of horse racing.

It held its first ever event way back in 1859 and has continued to host huge events for the past 166 years.

It’s biggest event is the Caulfield Cup, held every spring, with a pot of £2.5million up for grabs.