Thieves steal Vic Black Saturday memorial

Victorian thieves have stolen a Black Saturday memorial dedicated to a son lost in the blaze.

Dave and Carol Matthews say the flame-like sculpture is the only physical reminder they have of their son, Sam, who died in their St Andrews home during the February 2009 disaster.

"Every thing about Sam was lost on that day," Ms Matthews told ABC Radio on Thursday.

"I could spend time by the sculpture and could think of Sam and not think of the pain of what happened that day."

Ms Matthews said at this time of year, many affected by Black Saturday were doing it tough.

Victoria Police Senior Sergeant Wayne Spence says police are hopeful the sculpture will be returned.

The red steel creation stands about two metres high.

It was stolen from the Matthews' Plenty property, on Melbourne's fringe, sometime between Tuesday afternoon and early Wednesday.