Pyromaniac avoids jail for excavator fire

A DIAGNOSED pyromaniac who set fire to a $750,000 railway excavator while out “trainspotting” with a friend has avoided jail time.

David Keith Blake-Burles has a “fascination with fire” and previously started a hospital blaze while visiting his gravely ill grandmother.

On March 31 last year, the 27-year-old was smoking cannabis, drinking beer and watching trains with his friend near a Campania railway line when he spotted the excavator.

The Supreme Court of Tasmania heard Blake-Burles had bought a box of firelighters earlier that day, and planned to cause some destruction if the opportunity presented, but his decision to set a TasRail excavator ablaze was spontaneous.

Justice Michael Brett said Blake-Burles inserted a firelighter into a compartment at the back of the excavator.

However, though he only intended to start a “nuisance” fire, the compartment he ignited was near a fuel line.

As a result, the excavator — one of only four of its kind in Australia — was destroyed and the blaze ignited a nearby grassy area before it was extinguished by firefighters.

“In the days following, you kept a close eye on social media and internet news sources with a view to accessing information concerning the outcome of the fire,” Justice Brett said. “On one level, this is consistent with your fascination with fire and its consequences … [but also] you were in fact extremely concerned and fearful when you realised what had actually happened, because you knew that you had gone too far.”

Justice Brett said it was unlikely that Blake-Burles would recover from his pyromania — which had developed after a dysfunctional childhood — and noted he was remorseful.

Blake-Burles, who pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully setting fire to property, was given an 18-month suspended sentence.

He must also repay the insurers and complete 182 hours of community service. amber.wilson@news.com.au