POLICE continue to hunt a Torquay firebug believed to be responsible for 10 fires across the community.<\/p>\n
Torquay Crime Investigation Unit continues to investigate a spate of suspicious fires that have been occurring across the town since October 23.<\/p>\n
The initial fire was believed to have started at Grandview Road, Torquay, where the suspect targeted the newly built property of Richmond AFL star Nick Vlaustin.<\/p>\n
Since the first fire, nine others have occurred all within a four-kilometre radius, with Sergeant Duncan Frame stating that the detective unit was treating the fires as linked events.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are looking at the possibility of an arsonist in Torquay,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Several scrub and structure fires have been reported, with CCTV footage depicting a young man believed to be responsible for the 10 incidents dating back to last year.<\/p>\n
Footage has shown the man using a flammable liquid to ignite the flames on two occasions.<\/p>\n
The last known fire occurred on January 1 at Surf World car park.<\/p>\n
Sergeant Frame said there has been no pattern established for the fires.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had three fires in October, none in November and since the start of December on a semi-regular basis between every 1-2 weeks,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Investigators fear that if the firebug remains unfound there could be \u201ccatastrophic\u201d consequences including serious injuries, damage or death.<\/p>\n
After temperatures soared to 38 degrees on Monday, the potential of a fire carries a greater risk with more hot days still to come.<\/p>\n
Country Fire Authority ratings say Surf Coast conditions so far should be easily controllable in the event of a fire but they are still warning the public to be responsible.<\/p>\n
Torquay CFA Captain Phillip Campbell has said it is a higher threat to the whole community if someone is out there lighting fires during ratings of high fire danger.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople need to stay vigilant and report anything they think is suspicious as well any smoke or fire,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Police believe that someone within the local community will know who the offender is, causing investigators to appeal to anyone with more information.<\/p>\n
Sergeant Frame is urging locals to be on the lookout for anyone acting suspiciously along the Deep Creek walking track and The Esplanade.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf anyone has any knowledge of the person responsible or any information they can contact police anonymously,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
To report information contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
POLICE continue to hunt a Torquay firebug believed to be responsible for 10 fires across the community. Torquay Crime Investigation Unit continues to investigate a spate of suspicious fires that have been occurring across the town since October 23. The initial fire was believed to have started at Grandview Road, Torquay, where the suspect targeted […]<\/p>\n