FOUL PLAY SUSPECTED IN RUN OF FIRES
A SERIAL arsonist is suspected of lighting up to 10 fires in the Burdekin, which have destroyed a house, cars and a semi- trailer.
Police confirmed they were investigating a link between the fires following the latest blaze, which gutted a vacant house in Macmillian St about 10.30am on Wednesday.
An Ayr CIB spokesman said police were investigating several suspicious fires.
“There have been at least 10 fires in that area and a number of those fires have raised concerns as to human intervention,” he said.
“There have been cars that have been in that vicinity that have caught on fire as well as a semi- trailer.
“The scene has been examined and we are continuing to treat the fire as suspicious.”
Rural Fire Service Queensland regional manager Ken Beasley said arson in any form was a criminal offence, which could result in jail time for the offender.
“Arson is a crime because it is a deliberate act to set fire illegally to destroy property and it can often be to cover a crime, to inflict financial loss on a particular person or company,” Mr Beasley said.
“Both the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service and Queensland Police Service take any form of arson seriously and investigate scientifically to determine the cause and establish who is responsible.
“People should report any suspicious activity to police immediately.”
Ayr Fire Service station officer Greg Vincent said firefighters were working with police scientific officers to determine the cause of the house fire.
“We’re getting fire investigators down and police will be also getting their own investigators down,” he said.
A police spokesman appealed for “anyone who has seen anything suspicious in the area prior to the fire or anyone who has any knowledge to do with the fire if they can contact the local police or if they prefer to remain anonymous they can contact Crime Stoppers.”