Arson threat continues

A BELOVED children’s park is believed to be the latest target of the Torquay firebug with police urging anyone with information to come forward immediately.

Torquay Crime Investigation Unit is now treating the incident at Deep Creek Park as the twelfth fire lit by the Torquay firebug who has been lighting fires since October 23.

On January 27 emergency services attended a fire at the playground with the Arson Squad investigating the matter further.

The blaze has caused an estimated $40,000 worth of damage to the playground with the area closed to the public until repairs can be completed.

Sergeant Duncan Frame said the latest incident in the spate of fires is one of the biggest causing concern for local police.

“It is certainly up there, obviously we have had some houses targeted but this is the biggest fire in the Deep Creek Reserve,” he said.

The initial fire is believed to have begun at the newly built property of AFL premiership player Nick Vlaustin on Grandview Road in Torquay.

Since the first incident, eleven fires occurring within a four-kilometre radius have now been linked to the one suspect. Prior to last Wednesday’s blaze, the last known incident was reported on January 1 at the Surf World Car Park.

Sgt Frame said no pattern has been established for the fires.

“We had three fires in October, none in November and since the start of December on a semi-regular basis,” he said.

Despite releasing official CCTV footage and urging locals to come forward with information, Sgt Frame confirmed police had yet to receive any intel that can be linked to a suspect.

“I do think it is a local purely based on the location of the fires which are very much around Deep Creek Reserve and surrounding streets,” he said.

“As far as age and sex, we don’t know, but we do believe it is a local person.” Police are urging residents of Orungal Court in Torquay to check their CCTV footage and report to the police if any suspicious behaviour is caught on camera.

The suspect is believed to be known to someone within the local community causing investigators to appeal to anyone with information.

“On Saturday, February 13, we will have an information booth set up in the car park at the beach end of Darian Road, Torquay from 9am to 1pm,” Sgt Frame said.

“We will be sharing information with our community and encourage people to come and speak with us in person or alternatively anyone can call Call Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”