A woman has been charged following a number of alleged suspicious fires in Sydney’s east dating back to late last year.
About 9.20pm on Monday 18 October 2021, emergency services were called to the intersection of Derby Street and Cambridge Avenue, Vaucluse, following reports a telegraph pole had been set on fire.
Fire & Rescue NSW attended and assessed the pole. The fire had already extinguished and it was deemed secure, posing no danger to the public.
Officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command were notified and commenced an investigation into the incident.
It will be alleged the fire was deliberately lit about 2.30am that morning, and the damage caused is estimated to be worth $150,000.
About 8.30pm on Tuesday 15 February 2022, members of the public attempted to extinguish a blaze at the same location in Vaucluse, after observing a telegraph pole allegedly being deliberately lit.
Emergency services were later notified and attended; minimal damage was caused to the pole.
A crime scene was established and forensically examined.
About 5.35am on Sunday 3 April 2022, a woman attended the same telegraph pole and allegedly doused a cloth attached to the pole with an unknown substance, before unsuccessfully attempting to light the cloth.
Eastern Suburbs detectives were notified and, following continued investigations, attended a home on Derby Street, Vaucluse, where a 50-year-old woman was arrested.
She was taken to Waverley Police Station, where she was charged with damage property by fire/explosion >$15000, and two counts of damage property by fire/explosion.
The woman was refused bail and will appear at Waverley Local Court today (Thursday 7 April 2022).
