Friendlyjordies’ lawyers have claimed that the Australian YouTuber’s house was “firebombed” last night, after NSW Police confirmed they were investigating a fire at his address.
Law firm Xenophon Davis confirmed that Friendlyjordies — whose real name is Jordan Shanks-Markovina — was safe after the fire in a tweet on Wednesday morning.
“We hope that every possible police resource is dedicated today to securing evidence and intel. It might even warrant a Strike Force focused upon terrorism and attempted homicide rather than dangerous jokes,” the account tweeted.
Emergency services were called to a Bondi home at 12.20am on Wednesday, NSW Police said in a statement. The fire was extinguished after it caused significant damage to the home and a property next door. No one was hurt.
NSW Police said it is investigating links to a fire at the same address on Thursday, November 17, while a NSW Police source confirmed the fire was being treated as suspicious.
The address of the house matches public records for the address of Shanks-Markovina, known as Friendlyjordies. The fire was first reported by local news source OnScene Bondi.
Shanks-Markovina is a popular political YouTuber and comedian who was the subject of a high-profile defamation claim by former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro last year. Shanks-Markovina and Barilaro settled the case late last year after the creator paid $100,000 in legal costs to Barilaro, apologised for hurt caused and edited some of his videos.
Shanks-Markovina also faces criminal contempt proceedings launched by ClubsNSW over a video published showing an interview with a former employee who has alleged the industry’s non-compliance with anti-money laundering laws.
Shanks-Markovina did not respond to a request for comment.
Updated: 12:40PM, November 23
