Two men charged over Wiembilla fires that destroyed 14 homes
Two men have been charged over a series of fires that destroyed homes and 4600ha of bushland in the Western Downs earlier this year.
Police & Courts
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Two men have been charged over a series of fires in the Western Downs region that ravaged thousands of hectares of land and destroyed 14 homes earlier this year.
On Friday, Police charged a 48-year-old Wieambilla man with seven counts of setting fire to vegetation and one count of arson.
A 23-year-old Wieambilla man was also charged with nine counts of setting fire to vegetation and one count of arson.
The alleged arson attacks took place in the Tara and Wieambilla areas between January and April this year, claiming 14 homes, numerous vehicles, and scorching more than 4600ha of bushland.
Police said seven fires were deliberately lit between January 29 and 30. There was another fire on February 4, another on February 12 and three small fires on April 17.
Thirteen homes were lost in the February 12 fire and police were forced to evacuate residents and animals and lock down the area.
The fire continued burning for several days, with the lockdown in place until February 14.
“As a result of the 12 blazes, a total of more than 4600ha of land and natural habitat were burned along with the destruction of 14 homes and a number of vehicles and other structures,” police said in previous a statement.
“Several persons were treated for smoke inhalation, but fortunately no one was seriously injured.”
Following growing suspicions of the fires being deliberately lit, Officers from the Financial and Cyber Crime Group launched Operation Victor Ministry.
Early investigations indicated that the persons involved in these arsons resided in the Wiembilla area, with an early 90s model white Toyota LandCruiser utility observed nearby several fire scenes.
Both men were denied police bail and will appear before the Toowoomba Magistrates Court today, August 19.
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