UPDATE 10.15am:
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A Mitsubishi discovered on fire in bush in Ballarat East before dawn had a green P-plate attached to the rear but no numberplates.
The white GLXR dual-cab ute still had a jack and a large number of large metal rods normally used for construction work in the rear tray.
![Firefighters were called to the burning Mitsubishi dual-cab ute in Pryor Park before dawn on Wednesday. Picture by Gabrielle Hodson. Firefighters were called to the burning Mitsubishi dual-cab ute in Pryor Park before dawn on Wednesday. Picture by Gabrielle Hodson.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/177877894/c6548fd5-7adf-4ba1-b631-b2c9ce54ad41.JPG/r23_0_1709_949_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The interior had been destroyed including the entire steering wheel, upholstery and wiring. The heat from the blaze - which woke neighbours after an explosion - also melted shards of the windscreen, side mirror and front tyres.
![Piles of dead branches and rubbish were found nearby - including close to the front of Mitsubishi ute. Picture by Gabrielle Hodson. Piles of dead branches and rubbish were found nearby - including close to the front of Mitsubishi ute. Picture by Gabrielle Hodson.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/177877894/8b94b168-b43e-45cc-825a-81ff081ad8f2.JPG/r0_0_1526_983_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Rubbish was piled up nearby including branch cuttings, drink bottles and empty cans of alcohol.
Several pre-cut dead branches would found close to the front of the ute with fresh charring.
![The intensity of the Ballarat East blaze caused windscreen glass to melt. Picture by Gabrielle Hodson. The intensity of the Ballarat East blaze caused windscreen glass to melt. Picture by Gabrielle Hodson.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/177877894/594806d2-9fc1-42c2-a42a-2398b4096d14.JPG/r4_0_1717_963_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
EARLIER:
Police have been asked to investigate a suspicious fire in a Eureka Street park.
The blaze was first reported as an explosion in Pryors Park Ballarat East at 6.44am Wednesday.
![A ute was found on fire at 6.45am on Wednesday. Picture by The Courier A ute was found on fire at 6.45am on Wednesday. Picture by The Courier](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/alexander.ford/83e8fe11-114f-4b05-9ac4-d16716066432.jpg/r0_0_1600_900_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson said the triple-zero caller reported a 'boom' that woke them up - and could see flames.
Crews were on scene within 6 minutes.
Mount Warrenheip and Ballarat City firefighters found a Mitsubishi ute consumed by fire on a track near the neighbouring Mt Xavier Golf Course.
Firefighters at the scene said the vehicle had no numberplates.
The blaze did not spread to nearby vegetation and was under control within five minutes.
IN THE NEWS
Ballarat police are investigating.
Firefighters said it was the first car fire they had attended "in quite a while".
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