NSW Police detectives have charged a volunteer firefighter with several alleged deliberately-lit bushfires in the Hunter region.
Earlier this month, Arson Unit detectives from the State Crime Command’s Financial Crimes Squad established Strike Force Glenarvon to investigate a number of suspicious bushfires in the Hunter Valley.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives attended a home in Aberglasslyn about 8.20am yesterday, where they arrested an 18-year-old man (pictured with detectives).
He was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with 15 offences, including 13 counts of intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread and two counts of destroy etc property in company use fire.
He was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court today.
Police will allege in court the man deliberately lit fires in grassland at Weston, Pelaw Main, Bellbird, Greta, Aberglasslyn, Melville, and Cessnock, on several occasions in July and August this year.
“It will be further alleged that the man later attended some of the fires as an NSW RFS volunteer and assisted in extinguishing the blazes,” NSW Police said in a statement.
Financial Crimes Squad Commander, Acting Superintendent Richard Puffett, said as the bushfire season in NSW approaches, his team is committed to investigating any fires suspected of being suspicious or known to be deliberately lit.
“Our state has had a number of years of extreme weather from floods to fires – and the coming months will only get warmer,” Det Acting Supt Puffett said.
“With a large amount of dry vegetation across our state, we are urging members of the public to be vigilant during this year’s bushfire season. If you see or notice anything suspicious, please contact police.
“Strike Force Tronto officers are committed to targeting arsonists who wish to bring devastation to our environment and our communities. Bushfires can not only be damaging, they can be deadly.”
Strike Force Tronto, comprised of detectives from Arson Unit, is the lead investigative team on suspicious or deliberately-lit bushfires which lead to death, serious injury or significant property loss. Strike force detectives work closely with officers at Police Area Commands and Police Districts across NSW.
