Police charge woman over Collie bushfires

Strike Force Vulcan officers have charged a woman as a result of their investigation into a series of bushfires in Collie.

Between 14 December 2023 and 9 January 2024, a series of suspicious fires were lit in bush land within the Collie town site requiring the attendance of Department of Fire Emergency Services (DFES) personnel to extinguish them.

During one of the bushfires, some residents of a local nursing home were evacuated which was quite traumatic for them.

Strike Force Vulcan officers deployed to Collie on 10 January 2024 to commence a joint investigation with Collie Police and Bunbury Detectives, which resulted in a woman being charged with lighting seven fires in Collie between 14 December 2023 and 9 January 2024.

The 30-year-old woman from Collie has been charged with seven counts of Wilfully Light or Cause to be Lit a Fire Likely to Injure or Damage and she is due to appear before the Bunbury Magistrates Court today, 11 January 2024.

The investigation is ongoing and investigators urge anyone with any information relating to bushfires contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppers.wa.com.au

If you have CCTV, mobile phone or dash-cam vision relating to a bushfire the vision can be uploaded direct to Strike Force Vulcan officers via the link: https://wapf.au.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/vulcan2023

Rewards of up to $25,000 are available for information that leads to the identification and conviction of an arsonist.

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