Frankston Crime Investigation Unit detectives are reminding motorists to be careful of discarding cigarettes following a series of fires on the Peninsula Link, Victoria Police say.
Police believe three separate fires were caused by a cigarette butt on 3 January, causing significant traffic disruption to the area.
A similar incident occurred this morning about 10.15am, causing two fires which shutdown the southbound lanes of Peninsula Link.
Both incidents remain under investigation.
Last summer, 95 per cent of fire-related offences were caused by reckless actions such as using tools or machinery during a fire danger people or burning off without a permit.
Preventing bushfires is everyone’s responsibility and reckless behaviour that starts a fire is a crime that carries severe penalties.
Anyone found guilty of recklessly or intentionally causing a bushfire faces a penalty of up to 15 year imprisonment.
Victoria Police adopts a zero-tolerance approach to deliberately or recklessly lit fires in our state.
Be mindful of your activities during the summer period, and especially on fire danger periods – it could be your actions that result in loss of life or property.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
