ARSON is the suspected cause of several recent fires in the North Arm Cove area, which have followed a pattern of regularity that locals find difficult to explain.
North Arm Cove Rural Fire Brigade believes they are malicious as they have occurred over four consecutive nights, all around the same time – between 9pm and 11:30pm.
Fires have started along fire trails, including three along Tenterfield Road.
Descriptions of alleged perpetrators sighted in the area have been given to police
“At least five very suspicious fires have been responded to, and they are being investigated by the police,” Pindimar/Tea Gardens RFS Deputy Captain Ralph Clark told News Of The Area.
Brigade members were called to fires last Thursday night and Friday morning.
Despite 2m high flames, the crew of five volunteers brought the intense blazes under control relatively quickly.
The largest bushfire, in mid-October, spread over a dozen blocks of a paper subdivision, and took three RFS crews to extinguish.
“Inspections the next day showed there were at least three ignition points along the roadside, with three separate patches of bush on both sides of the road, burnt out,” North Arm Cove Community Association President Bob Reid said.
“It looks like there is a firebug in the area, who takes great delight in setting the bush alight, threatening the village and the paper subdivision, and killing our wildlife.
“A fire in dry weather, with a strong wind, could easily cut us off from the highway, and cause untold house and property damage and environmental destruction.
“NSW Police are now involved, with a Detective Senior Constable from the Port Stephens – Hunter Police District actively investigating suspicious fires like this one.”
Anyone noticing a fire or smoke from a fire should call 000 as soon as possible.
If anyone is seen acting suspiciously, safely gather vehicle registration numbers and call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
Like much of the MidCoast RFS District, which is over 10,000 square kilometres, North Arm Cove is overdue for Hazard Reduction burns.
These have been delayed by wet weather and other factors.
In an effort to spread the word about fire safety, Pindimar/Tea Gardens is hosting a car wash fundraiser at the Tea Gardens RFS station on Wanya Street in the Industrial Estate on Saturday 15 November from 9am-1pm.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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