Officers from Collie Police are investigating a series of deliberately lit scrub fires that occurred between 21 and 23 October 2022 in the suburbs of Shotts, Collie and Buckingham. The fires burnt 300 hectares of forest and destroyed 60 hectares of a blue gum plantation valued at $600,000.
Details of the four fires reported to police are:-
• Between 1.30am and 2.30am on Friday 21 October on Coalfields Road, Shotts;
• About 2.15pm on Saturday 22 October on Centaur Road and Coalfields Road, Collie;
• About 2.40pm on Saturday 22 October on Pollard Road, Buckingham; and
• Between 8am and 12pm on Sunday 23 October on Centaur Road and Coalfields Road, Buckingham.
It is believed offender(s) have set a grass tree alight at each location. Luckily each fire was able to be extinguished before they got out of control and posed a risk to lives and homes.
Collie Police officers are working closely with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions in investigating these fires.
Investigators urge anyone with information relating to these fires, or who has seen any suspicious persons or vehicles in the area of the fires to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au.
Anyone with CCTV, mobile phone or dash-cam vision of the above areas around the time of the fires can upload the vision direct to investigators at:-https://wapf.au.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/211022023014937
Rewards of up to $25,000 are available for information that leads to the identification and conviction of an arsonist.
