Two bushfires in WA’s south overnight that threatened lives and homes have been confirmed as being allegedly deliberately lit, with the Premier describing it as a “disgusting, deplorable, disgraceful” act.
The fires were started in the Yallingup and Injidup areas, which reached the emergency level warning on Saturday evening.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services deemed the blazes “suspicious/deliberately lit”, prompting Arson Squad detectives to travel to Yallingup on Sunday.
District superintendent Geoff Stewart said detectives were seeking community assistance, including CCTV and dashcam footage, to solve the alleged crime.
“The investigators have told us they consider it to be deliberately lit and the investigation is underway,” he told reporters.
“We’re seeking the community’s assistance in helping us identify who may have been responsible.”
Earlier on Sunday, Premier Mark McGowan issued a stern warning to firebugs.
“To anyone thinking of deliberately lighting a fire, you’ll get caught and the penalties are severe, including serious jail time,” he said.
Mr McGowan said police commissioner Chris Dawson had informed him in the morning that the circumstances were suspicious, but there was no evidence of criminality.
“If someone has deliberately lit a fire after the week we’ve been through, they’re just an appalling human being and they’ll have the book thrown at them when they’re caught,” the Premier said.
“After the fires at Wooroloo, after the week of COVID (lockdown), after flooding in the north, to go and light a fire near Yallingup — if that’s what’s happened — is a disgusting, disgraceful act.”
The Premier previously said any arsonist, who started a fire that could potentially kill people, was a “piece of dirt”.
The blaze in the state’s south is now stationary and DFES says rain in the area significantly reduced the intensity of the fire.
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, campsites, Cape to Cape track, Sugarloaf and Canal Rocks have reopened but people are urged to be mindful of crews operating in the area.
Firefighters are continuing to mop up.
Meanwhile, rain overnight also helped firefighters battling the catastrophic Perth Hills bushfire that wiped out 86 homes.
The watch and act alert was downgraded to an advice level on Saturday night due to rainfall over the fireground.
The blaze, which burnt through almost 11,000 hectares, is now contained and controlled.
Mr McGowan said the priority was to clean up the fireground and continue to transition to recovery.
“This has been an extraordinary week. Our emergency service workers have been pushed to their limits. I cannot thank them enough,” he said.
Restricted access permits are still required for residents to enter the Tilden Park area, while road closures also remain in place for some areas.
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
The Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund has so far raised more than $6.5 million for the Wooroloo and Perth Hills bushfire.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMipwFodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdS90ZWNobm9sb2d5L2Vudmlyb25tZW50L2Fyc29uLXNxdWFkLWludmVzdGlnYXRlcy13YS1idXNoZmlyZXMtYmVsaWV2ZWQtdG8taGF2ZS1iZWVuLWRlbGliZXJhdGVseS1saXQvbmV3cy1zdG9yeS9jMWRhZDg1ZDdmZjU2YTk5MmZkM2Y0ZmVhMDA3Mjk2MdIBpwFodHRwczovL2FtcC5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdS90ZWNobm9sb2d5L2Vudmlyb25tZW50L2Fyc29uLXNxdWFkLWludmVzdGlnYXRlcy13YS1idXNoZmlyZXMtYmVsaWV2ZWQtdG8taGF2ZS1iZWVuLWRlbGliZXJhdGVseS1saXQvbmV3cy1zdG9yeS9jMWRhZDg1ZDdmZjU2YTk5MmZkM2Y0ZmVhMDA3Mjk2MQ?oc=5
2021-02-07 07:52:30Z
52781357569470
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Arson Squad investigate after ruling WA bushfires were deliberately lit - NEWS.com.au"
Post a Comment