Christie Downs community fearful of arsonist after series of blazes in the area

More than half a dozen suspicious fires have been lit in two southern suburbs since October last year, and now some residents are looking to move elsewhere.

Christie Downs residents have expressed fear over a spate of arson attacks in the area, with one homeowner planning to pack up and move her family elsewhere.

More than half a dozen suspicious structure fires have occurred in the area since October last year and police are investigating whether there are any links.

The most recent blaze destroyed a property on Finbar Rd on Monday and threatened the adjoining property occupied by a young family.

Just two days earlier, a housing trust unit on Finian Rd was targeted by an arsonist for the second time since November.

The frequency of the attacks has some residents spooked.

A Finian Rd resident, who did not wish to be named, said she was starting to fear for her young family’s safety.

“It’s scary and it’s bothersome,” she said. “We don’t really want to live around here anymore, so we are looking to sell up and move.”

The woman said she was able to see the flames from Friday’s fire from her backyard. “It’s all the other stuff that goes on around here as well,” she said.

“We’ve got two kids and we can’t control what they see.”

Cooper Moroney lives with his grandmother just a few houses down from the torched Finian Rd unit. He said the fires had just started “popping out of nowhere”.

A home in the area after it was torched on the 28th March. Picture: Todd Lewis

“Someone could just go ‘bang I want to set this house on fire’ and it could be my house, so I’m a little bit worried,” he said.

“My grandmother has lived here for 50 years and her safety is important to me.”

However, Cecilia Rd resident Mark Cunningham said he was less concerned.

He has lived in his home for 48 years and said he would never consider moving.

“My wife has been struggling with the news of the fires a bit, but we have great neighbours all around us, so I’m not too worried,” he said.

“There’s idiots wherever you go and I honestly think this area has actually improved over the years.”

Jennifer Owens moved to Christie Downs 18 months ago and said there was no shortage of crime in the area.

The destroyed unit 13/21 at Nadia Cresent Christies Beach on October 12. Picture Roy VanDerVegt

She said an increased police presence would be welcomed.

“They could be doing more drive-bys when there’s things going on,” she said.

“There’s a lot of other riff raff around this area. People do burnouts at night, set off fireworks, smash bottles, throw parties all week.

“They aren’t approachable either, they’re rough, so you’re better off just leaving it.”

She said the move to the area was just a stepping stone for her and her husband.

“We actually have our names down at a retirement home and we are looking forward to that move,” she said.

Mark Cunningham has lived in Christie Downs for 48 years and admitted the recent spate of arson attacks were a bit concerning. Picture: Todd Lewis

Onkaparinga Council Acting Mayor Simon McMahon said the fire investigations were being handled by police.

However, he encouraged people to be on the lookout for suspicious behaviour.

“From council’s perspective, we know our city is a safe place and we want it to remain that way, so we encourage anyone witnessing suspicious behaviour to immediately report it to police,” he said.