Sydney bushfire: Premier says ‘it’s a miracle no lives were lost’ as police investigate arson
FIREBUGS are suspected in the out-of-control blaze that ripped through large parts of southwest Sydney, leaving hundreds of homes under threat.
NSW
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FIREBUGS are suspected in the out-of-control blaze that ripped through large parts of southwest Sydney, leaving hundreds of homes under threat.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it was a “miracle” no lives had been lost or homes destroyed in the fire which was still burning last night.
“We are so concerned with reports this could have been deliberately lit,” she said.
“There’ll be a full investigation and I think the community would deem it absolutely unforgivable if this fire was deliberately lit.”
The alarm was first raised about 2.45pm on Saturday when an out-of-control grass fire was burning at Leacocks Reserve in Casula.
A crime scene was quickly established and Strike Force Capri has been set up to investigate.
Detectives were yesterday doorknocking in Casula amid suspicions the blaze was lit near All Saints Catholic Senior College, to the west of the reserve.
Ms Berejiklian said the circumstances of the fire were “very unusual”.
“It’s not every day that in April you hear that a fire has started in Casula and is threatening homes,” she said.
“(It’s a) very unusual circumstance. The wind conditions plus the unusually high temperatures in April have contributed to this.
“It’s absolutely a miracle that no one has been reported as having serious injury and hundreds of properties have been saved.
“That is a huge relief.”
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Arsonists can face up to 25 years in jail for lighting fires with the intention of endangering life, while starting a bushfire and “being reckless as to its spread” is up to 14 years behind bars.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he was “extremely concerned” to learn the fire may have been deliberate.
“We understand the fire began near Casula, not far from the power station. So, in a very settled area, a densely settled area, in fact. It came down through bushland and wound its way through Holsworthy to the situation where it is now,” he said.
Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said the strong winds, unseasonable heat and lack of rain made the bush “highly susceptible to ignition”.