POLICE are turning to the community for assistance as investigations begin into several bushfires suspected of being deliberately lit during yesterday's statewide total fire ban.
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State Emergency Operations Controller (SEOCON), Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys, praised the community for working together and supporting each other so positively.
"It has been heartening to see the community working together as we experienced catastrophic fire conditions over the past few days," Comm Worboys said.
"Now we need help from the community again - this time to assist our detectives who are beginning investigations into the cause of fires suspected of being deliberately lit across several police area commands and police districts."
As investigations continue, police are urging anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or has information about the following fires from yesterday to contact the relevant police station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333-000;
- About 10.30am, New England Highway near Moonbi - Oxley Police District
- Just before 2.30pm, Hooka Creek Rd, Berkeley - Lake Illawarra Police District
- About 3.15pm, three fires in bushland north west of Doonan Pl, Balgownie - Wollongong Police District.
- Shortly after 3pm in the vicinity of Bradley's Reserve, Kissing Point Rd; and 4pm, near Canoon Rd, South Turramurra - Kuring-Gai Police Area Command
- Just after 4.30pm, in the vicinity of Honeymoon Lookout, Cliff Dr, Katoomba - Blue Mountains Police District
- From 4.30pm, four fires throughout Morisset - Lake Macquarie Police District
- From 7pm, Royal National Park near Loftus - Sutherland Shire Police Area Command.
Inquiries are being conducted by investigators from individual area commands, assisted by specialist officers attached to Strike Force Tronto and the Rural Fire Service.
The State Crime Command's Arson Unit established Strike Force Tronto 2001 to investigate suspicious or deliberately-lit bushfires which lead to death, serious injury or significant property loss.
Comm Worboys said officers have also charged two men after they were found in possession of emergency service paraphernalia suspected of being stolen or illegally obtained.
A man is due to appear in Lismore Local Court today, charged after equipment branded with RFS and another emergency agency was found when a search warrant was executed at his home on the Far North Coast.
Police will allege when the property was searched items of RFS insignia - including uniform patches and documentation - was found, along with emergency service-branded equipment and helmets.
A 36-year-old man was arrested for breach of bail and was taken to Lismore Police Station. He was refused police bail; however, following execution of the search warrant the man has now been charged with dishonestly obtain benefit by deception, having goods in custody suspected of being stolen, and vehicle registration offences.
In a separate incident, a 19-year-old man has been charged with impersonating an emergency services officer and having goods in custody suspected of being stolen, after he was arrested dressed in a Fire and Rescue NSW uniform at Loftus about 9.30pm yesterday.
Officers from Sutherland Police Area Command were told that a man dressed as a firefighter had been seen riding a motor scooter in the Royal National Park.
The man was arrested at Loftus, and taken to Sutherland Police Station where he was charged with impersonate emergency services officer, and having goods in custody suspected of being stolen.
He was released on strict conditional bail to appear in Sutherland Local Court on December 4.
Additionally, a further five people were also found to have breached the total fire ban in the past 24 hours:
A 24-year-old Glenfield man is due to appear in Campbelltown Local Court after being arrested for failing to comply with a total fire ban order. Police will allege the man was arrested when he was seen lighting candles at a campsite at Campbelltown. The man has also been charged with resist arrest.
An 18-year-old man has been issued with a Court Attendance Notice for fail to comply with total fire ban order, after he allegedly lit a barbecue in his backyard at Fingal Bay. He will appear in Raymond Terrace Local Court on January 20.
A 28-year-old man has been issued with an infringement notice for failing to comply with total fire ban when police were called to a North Bondi address, and found him allegedly using a barbecue with an open flame. The infringement incurs a fine of $2200.
A 26-year-old man was also issued with an infringement notice after allegedly lighting a fire in a makeshift incinerator in the backyard of a home at Rockdale, to dispose of rubbish.
Finally, a 23-year-old man was issued with a Court Attendance Notice for fail to comply with total fire ban order, and leave fire lit or used in open air before extinguishing, after allegedly lighting a small grass fire to dispose of waste in the backyard of a home at Blacktown.
Comm Worboys said that it was disappointing that the actions of a few had the potential to impact negatively on the rest of the community.
"The vast majority of people really banded together and supported each other during a time of catastrophic danger. It's unacceptable that the actions of these few individuals endangered the lives and property of others, either intentionally or through ignorance," he said.
"Moving forward into the bushfire season, and as police investigate these offences, we would urge the community to keep up the good work and continue to provide assistance where possible."
