Hunt for arsonist after trail of skip bin fires

AN ARSONIST has caused damage to several bins and a building after lighting four fires in less than two hours yesterday morning.

Fire crews were called to four separate incidents across Aitkenvale between 2.30am and 4.30am.

The first at 2.30am was for reports that an industrial skip bin was on fire at the rear of a signage business in Madden St. Crews contained the fire to the bin but there was some superficial damage to the building.

At 2.58am, fire crews were called to put out a blaze in another skip bin near a hair salon in Casey St.

At 3.10am, a third skip bin on Wellington St in the vicinity of the Aitkenvale PCYC was set alight.

At 4.18am, fire crews attended a vacant business back in Madden St after some whitegoods in an industrial bin were set on fire.

District duty officer Senior Sergeant Joe Matheson said police attended all four scenes and it was believed the same offender was responsible for all the fires.

“Police are working on obtaining CCTV footage that may identify the offender,” he said. “It appears there is just one offender involved in light- ing the sporadic fires.”

Sen- Sgt Matheson said while each fire caused relatively minor damage, police were treating the offences seriously due to the potential dangers.

“Small fires can turn into large fires and cause major structural damage and possible loss of life,” he said.

Police are expected to continue their inquiries with business owners today.