Youth charged over three blazes
Youth charged over three blazes
25 January 2006
published by www.news.com.au
Australia — An alleged firebug has been charged over a series of deliberately lit blazes at Warburton in Victoria, as the state faces a horrific day of fire danger.
Police have charged a 16-year-old boy with allegedly lighting three blazes in bushland at Warburton, 76km east of Melbourne.
The fires were lit close together between Hooks Road and Scotchman’s Creek about 12.45pm (AEDT) yesterday and raged for two hours, burning about 2ha.
Firefighters and an aerial water bomber were used to extinguish the blaze, absorbing crucial resources needed to fight ferocious fires burning across the state.
Police say the youth was seen visiting the fire ground twice and was arrested by detectives after leaving the second time.
He was interviewed and will be summonsed to appear at the Children’s Court at a date to be fixed, facing charges of lighting a bushfire, conduct endangering life and other offences.
The charges come as Victoria endures a tragic bushfire season that has already killed three people and destroyed up to nine homes and tens of thousands of livestock.
The state remains on high alert as scorching 40 degree temperatures and strong northerly winds return, creating perilous conditions for firefighters.
