Arson Unit detectives have charged a volunteer firefighter following an investigation into a series of deliberately lit bushfires in Sydney's west under Strike Force Tronto.
Strike Force Tronto is an ongoing investigation by State Crime Command's Financial Crimes Squad Arson Unit to detect and apprehend bushfire arsonists.
Between Monday 23 June 2025 and Sunday 7 September 2025, strike force detectives identified a pattern of deliberately lit bushfires within the greater Wallacia area.
Investigators, with assistance from the Rural Fire Service, identified a teenage boy who was allegedly responsible for lighting the fires and then responding to each one in his role as a volunteer firefighter.
Following inquiries, about 7am yesterday (Thursday 2 October 2025), detectives arrested a 17-year-old male in Warrimoo.
He was taken to Springwood Police Station where he was charged with three counts of intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread and two counts of false representation resulting in police investigation.
The teenager was refused bail and appeared at a children's court yesterday.
Anyone with information that may assist investigations into deliberately lit fires is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
