Charges laid over massive Perth Hills bushfire which destroyed 86 homes - ABC News

A 40-year-old man has been charged with starting a massive bushfire which engulfed the Perth Hills earlier this year and destroyed 86 homes.

Key points:

• A Wooroloo man has been charged with starting the February blaze
• The man is alleged to have used an angle grinder during a total fire ban
• Police say the man failed to take appropriate precautions

Police say the man failed to take reasonable precautions when using an angle grinder to remove a padlock from a sea container on his property during a total fire ban.

They are not alleging the fire was deliberately lit.

The Wooroloo bushfire burnt through almost 11,000 hectares and forced thousands of residents to flee surrounding suburbs as the flames threatened properties in Perth's outer metropolitan east.

Police said the Wooroloo man spoke to officers on February 3, while the fire was still burning at an emergency level.

"A version of events was provided to police at that time," Acting Commander Tony Longhorn said.

"Further investigations between DFES and WA Police arson squad investigators were conducted — inclusive of expert reports, weather data — and these were used to identify the most likely ignition source of the fire.

"As a result of those further investigations, earlier today the 40-year-old male from Wooroloo was arrested and again interviewed in relation to the fire.

"We've all got a duty of care and in this instance, we will allege that this individual didn't take the appropriate precautions to prevent a fire which impacted on thousands [of people]," he said.

Acting Commander Longhorn said the man's arrest should serve as a warning to the community.

"This was a total fire ban and there are consequences if you ignore the fire bans and don't take proper precautions," he said.

"We've seen what the impact is."

Want more WA news?

Did you know we offer a local version of the ABC News homepage? Watch below to see how you can set yours, and get more WA stories.

(Hint: You'll have to go back to the home page to do this)

Loading

Acting Commander Longhorn said he did not know whether the man's property had been affected by the blaze, nor would he say where it was.

He said the arrest was the result of months of collaboration between police and DFES officers.

"There's a fair amount of work that goes into identifying the original seat of the fire, where it started, the witnesses, the weather conditions," he said.

"It's an outcome of significant investigations and diligent police work with the assistance from Department of Fire and Emergency Services to end up at this point.

"It's great work by DFES and some good luck, I suspect."

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiYGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIxLTA3LTE2L2NoYXJnZXMtbGFpZC1vdmVyLXdvb3JvbG9vLWZpcmVzLWluLXBlcnRoLWhpbGxzLzEwMDMwMDc3MNIBKGh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMDAzMDA3NzA?oc=5

2021-07-16 07:12:56Z
CAIiEK7Sryubj1g6SklLAiHlB6oqFggEKg4IACoGCAow3vI9MPeaCDDciw4

Bagikan Berita Ini