Charge dropped against bushfire accused Andrew Lockey, proceeding against Terrance Hull

Two men charged over the reckless lighting of a bushfire that threatened homes in Adelaide’s north last year have appeared in court again – with the charge dropped against Mr Lockey.

Andrew Lockey is no longer charged over the Penfield bushfire last November. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Two men charged over the reckless lighting of a bushfire that threatened homes in Adelaide’s north late last year have appeared in court again – with one now no longer accused of starting it.

In the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning, Terrance Christopher Hull and Andrew Wayne John Lockey appeared for the second time, charged with recklessly starting a bushfire.

The duo were arrested last November after allegedly using an angle grinder on an extreme fire danger day – the sparks of which, police said, started the blaze in Penfield.

Terrance Hull is still charged with causing a bushfire using an angle grinder during major fire danger day last year. Picture: NewsWire / Dean Martin

Amid hot and windy conditions emergency services were called to Womma Road at about 2.30pm after reports a grass fire had been sparked by an angle grinder and was out of control, burning in a southerly direction near the Edinburgh RAAF base. Picture: CFS

Emergency services were called to Womma Rd about 2.30pm on Saturday November 2 after reports a grass fire had been sparked by an angle grinder and was out of control, burning in a southerly direction near the Edinburgh RAAF base.

A CFS alert was issued at 3.28pm advising: “Leave now.”

“This bushfire may threaten your safety. Check that the path is clear and go to a safer place. Do not enter this area as conditions are dangerous.”

CFS volunteers on 38 trucks supported by the Metropolitan Fire Service worked to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures and water bomber aircraft filling from a local dam doused the fire front from above.

In court on Tuesday, prosecutors said they would be pursuing the charge for Mr Hull, but were no longer accusing Mr Lockey of any wrongdoing.

His charge was withdrawn.

Prosecutors asked for an eight week adjournment in Mr Hull’s case to finalise details of the charge.

He will return to court in April.

Originally published as Charge dropped against bushfire accused Andrew Lockey, proceeding against Terrance Hull