Police investigate two suspicious but unrelated South Grafton house fires

Police are investigating two suspicious but unrelated house fires in South Grafton, with details revealed of a person detectives wish to speak to in relation to a blaze in January which resulted in $250,000 in damage

Detectives from Coffs/Clarence Police District are investigating a suspicious house fire in South Grafton from January 1, 2021.

Police are appealing for information from the public as investigations continue into two separate suspicious house fires.

The first fire to come under police investigation dates back to January 1, 2021 where emergency services were called to a home on Angorphora Way at South Grafton, about 3.50am, responding to calls of a home being well alight.

The occupants of the home woke to find smoke filling the residence. Witnesses told police a 26-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman passed their two-year-old son out a window to a bystander, along with personal possessions, before escaping the house.

As officers attached to Coffs/Clarence Police District attempted to evacuate neighbouring houses, they were allegedly repeatedly threatened and abused by a several people and a 20-year-old man and 16-year-old boy – known to each other – were arrested and taken to Grafton Police Station, charged with offences relating to obstructing police and firefighters from performing their duties.

Detectives from Coffs/Clarence Police District are investigating a suspicious house fire in South Grafton from January 1, 2021.

Once Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the blaze, officers from Grafton Police Station attended and established a crime scene. It’s estimated the damage is approximately $250,000. Jewellery and war medals have been reported missing from the home following the blaze.

Police wish to speak to a man who was seen near the Angorphora Way fire. He is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander in appearance, aged in his mid 20s, with a thin build, and at the time he was wearing a white shirt and a gold chain.

More recently, a separate house fire is being treated as suspicious after emergency services were called to Maxwell Avenue following reports a home was well alight shortly after 2pm on Tuesday, April 27.

Crews from Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze before a crime scene was established by police.

A South Grafton home was gutted by fire, with investigations now underway to determine the cause of the blaze. Photo: Frank Redward

Detectives are treating both blazes as suspicious, and are wanting to speak to any neighbours who may have been in the vicinity just prior to both fires.

Officers do not believe the fires are linked and are treating them as separate incidents; however, are appealing for anyone who has any information which could assist detectives to contact Grafton Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.