Police have arrested two men who allegedly deliberately lit fires in the Rockhampton area, Queensland Police say.
Around 11.30am this morning a 27-year-old man was arrested for allegedly attempting to light a grass fire beside the Burnett Highway, Port Curtis following information from the public.
The Rural Fire Brigade, Police and community members worked together to extinguish the fire.
The man is currently assisting police with their investigations.
This latest incident follows the arrest and charging of a 26-year-old local man with allegedly setting fire to vegetation at Rockhampton on November 28.
It will be alleged around 4.50pm on Wednesday afternoon vegetation was set on fire in Farm Street, near the corner with Haynes Street. This location is not near the Stanwell Fire.
Emergency services were alerted by a member of the public and the blaze brought quickly under control and extinguished. No property or structures were damaged, and a small amount of vegetation / grasslands was burnt.
The man is due to appear in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court on December 17 charged with one count of endanger property by fire.
Deputy Commissioner Bob Gee, State Disaster Coordinator said that the Queensland Police Service treat all arson offences very seriously.
“Police will continue to patrol and actively target people who deliberately light fires. If you offend, you are going to get caught.
“Arson can have devastating consequences including the potential for loss of life, the destruction of property, livestock and livelihoods.
“Under the Criminal Code, if a person is found guilty of arson they may be liable to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. And a 14-year prison sentence is possible for anyone found guilty of unlawfully setting fire to a crop or endangering property by setting fire.”
Officers continue to patrol areas affected by bushfires and the community is encouraged to report suspicious behaviour to police.
Taskforce Vulcan, a multiagency taskforce targets deliberately lit fires. The taskforce is used to educate the public, as well as investigate the cause of bushfires and prosecute those found to be illegally lighting fires, whether through acts of arson, recklessness or disregard for permit conditions.
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.
