Allambie Heights: Firebug fear after multiple blazes ignite in Manly Dam Reserve

Police suspect a firebug may be behind a series of blazes, which erupted just minutes apart in thick bushland close to retirement villages on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Police fear a firebug may be behind a series of blazes that erupted within minutes in thick bushland close to retirement villages on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Fire and Rescue NSW and Rural Fire Service brigades battled several blazes, scattered across the northwestern end of Manly Dam Reserve, on Monday afternoon.

The fires came close to the large Sydney Water pipeline, which is located at Allambie Heights and provides drinking water to much of the northern beaches.

Firefighters battle the blazes on Monday. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

Fires also burned a few hundred metres from three retirement communities — William Charlton Retirement Village, Allambie Heights Village and Fred Huntly Village.

No private property was threatened by the flames.

Multiple brigades were called in to fight several suspicious fires in bushland on the northwestern end of Manly Dam Reserve. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

The first fire was reported near the water pipeline, just south of Madison Way, about 1.30pm.

As the first Fire and Rescue crews from Forestville and Dee Why dealt with that blaze, it appeared several other fires sparked up further south, just off walking trails closer to Manly Dam.

A senior firefighter points out the location of the multiple fires to police, while standing on top on a fire truck. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

Firefighters had to make their way through dense bush and heathland to get to the fires.

Crews also made their way towards the blazes from fire trails leading away from Martin Luther Pl, just off busy Allambie Rd.

One of the fires came close to the main Sydney Water pipeline to the northern beaches. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

The Fire and Rescue brigades were joined by RFS tankers from Beacon Hill and Terrey Hills.

Meanwhile, about eight Northern Beaches police officers were called in.

Multiple fires, in bushland at the left of the map, came within a few hundred metres of retirement communities. Picture: Google Maps

They were stopping, and taking details from members of the public riding pushbikes or walking along the popular public path that runs parallel to the pipeline.

While NSW Police did not address the theory in a statement released at 5pm, it is understood investigators are looking into whether the fires were deliberately lit.

“NSW Rural Fire Service are on scene and the fire is contained at this time,” the statement read.

“It is believed there is no risk to the public.

“Once the fire has been extinguished, police will commence inquiries into the incident.”