Victoria police say an arrest they made on Thursday is connected to a fire at the Mustard Seed food bank earlier this week.

Staff said the suspicious blaze was discovered around 2 a.m. Wednesday.

The fire has hurt the charity financially as it prepares for one of the busiest times of the year, employees say.

Michael Willman was charged with arson and he remains in custody following a failed bail hearing on Friday.

Victoria police are investigating five fires, including the one at the food bank, after an apparent firebug struck four separate garbage cans in the city .

Officials say there is nothing to suggest that the fire at the food bank is related to the other incidents.