Arsonists targeting more homes and vehicles cause $7.3m damage across Adelaide in three years

Arsonists have caused millions of dollars in damage across SA in three years – and charges have been laid for only a fraction of the fires. Use our searchable list to see which suburbs are targeted.

Arsonists are increasingly targeting homes and vehicles in deliberately-lit fires across Adelaide having caused more than $7.3m damage in three years, new figures reveal.

SA Police documents obtained by the Sunday Mail also show charges have been laid in just nine of the 111 suspicious blazes between August 2017 and September 2020.

Concerned police warn arson attacks have the potential to not only cause widespread damage but seriously injure or kill innocent people.

Police Minister Vincent Tarzia has described firebugs as “cowards” and “lowlifes running from their crimes”.

Figures obtained under Freedom of Information laws show the number of suspicious fires in metropolitan Adelaide increased almost fivefold from seven in 2018 to 31 in 2019.

Grass fires comprised 36 of the 38 deliberately-lit blazes over the two-year period. However, the number and types of arson attacks changed significantly in 2020.

There were 71 suspicious fires recorded between January and September last year and 55 of those targeted homes and vehicles.

A police spokeswoman said any arson attack was concerning and all reports were investigated.

“Every incident of arson has the potential to cause significant damage and pose a risk to life or risk of serious injury,” the spokeswoman said.

“Police acknowledge the efforts of responding firefighters (and) encourage all persons who see suspicious activity or have any information regarding persons lighting fire to report it.”

The spokeswoman said crime scene assessment, witnesses, CCTV footage and other evidence, including DNA and/or fingerprints, contributed towards detectives’ ability to charge a person.

Adelaide, Elizabeth North, Morphett Vale, Parafield Gardens and Smithfield Plains were the most targeted suburbs with four attacks each in the past three years.

The biggest damage bill since August 2017 was $4.1m from a deliberately-lit blaze at Australian Medical Association House on Ward Street in North Adelaide.

Mark Peter Adams, 53, of North Adelaide has pleaded not guilty to three counts of arson over the attack on May 6, 2020 – and another on a brush fence at a doctor’s surgery two days later.

A bin set alight in the underground car park of AMA House at North Adelaide caused $4.1m damage. Picture: Gabriel Polychronis

Police are continuing to investigate a $1.5m suspicious fire that destroyed a hairdressing salon and neighbouring health clinic on Sir James Hardy Way, Woodcroft, on August 22 last year.

In the most recent high-profile case, a former long-serving Country Fire Service volunteer has been charged with intentionally causing a bushfire at Clarendon on an extreme fire-danger day.

The Hallett Cove man, 61, was allegedly spotted speeding away from a freshly lit fire on Piggott Range Road, 10km from the Cherry Gardens blaze, on January 24.

He was allegedly drink-driving in a car with altered registration plates and refused to pull over but was arrested after a short pursuit.

The man, whose identity is suppressed, was a member of an Adelaide Hills brigade for much of the 1970s and 1980s. He is facing a maximum of 20 years in jail if found guilty.

Operation Nomad detectives are monitoring 82 people at risk of deliberately lighting blazes during the SA fire danger season.

Mr Tarzia urged the public to join the fight against arsonists by reporting suspicious activity, saying just a small piece of information could take a firebug off the streets.

“Arsonists are cowards who cause destruction and devastation just to get a kick,” Mr Tarzia told the Sunday Mail.

“These lowlifes run from their crimes with total disregard for the lives they endanger. The message is clear – light a fire and you will be caught.”

Anyone with information about arson attacks or suspicious behaviour near the scene of a fire should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A deliberately-lit fire destroyed Melt Hair Studio at Woodcroft. Picture: Dixie Sulda

Originally published as Arsonists targeting more homes and vehicles cause $7.3m damage across Adelaide in three years