With Queensland continuing to experience extreme and dangerous fire conditions throughout the state with devastating bushfire being fought in several locations, police are reminding the public of the dangers of lighting fires or committing acts of arson following two incidents at Pimpama yesterday.
Around 3.30pm a member of the public driving past bushland off Rifle Range Road observed smoke coming from a storm water drain. The man found a small fire and went home, coming back with buckets of water and extinguishing the fire, which had not spread.
Around 4.45pm police were on Yawalpah Road when they noticed smoke coming from the western side of the M1 motorway.
Officers drove to Rifle Range Road, just south of Bull Road where a fire was burning in bushland. Fortunately, the Ormeau Rural Fire unit were also aware and arrived on-scene and quickly extinguished the blaze.
Not only could this fire have had devastating consequences for the local community and wildlife it diverted first responders from frontline duties.
The circumstances of the fire are being investigated with police appealing for anyone with any information to contact them (details below).
Arsonists who deliberately set fire to property are criminals and police will be relentless in investigating suspicious fires. Under the Criminal Code, a person found guilty of arson may be liable to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. If someone is found guilty of unlawfully setting fire to a crop or endangering property by setting fire to something they may be liable to a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment.
Lighting a fire without a permit, failing to comply with permit conditions or leaving a fire unattended could lead to significant penalties including hefty fines and jail time. There are total fire bans in place in many parts of Queensland.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
