Dee Why Lagoon: Arsonists who lit 25 fires stopped by proactive fireys
Firebugs set the bush alight around a popular public reserve on the northern beaches 25 times in just three months — here’s how firefighters stopped the arsonists.
Manly
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A spate of deliberately lit fires around a popular northern beaches reserve has sparked a response from authorities desperate to put a stop to the firebugs.
NSW Fire and Rescue officers were called out to tackle a staggering 25 separate fires in the bushland around Dee Why Lagoon in just three months from July to September.
Local firefighters were so concerned that the fires, which were growing in size and frequency, could destroy public and private property, as well as badly injure people who use the reserve, that they came up with a solution to stop the arsonists.
The Fire and Rescue station at Dee Why, with the help of colleagues from Neutral Bay, organised a high-profile, high-visibility community “blitz”.
Part of the strategy included doorknocking dozens of residents who live near the lagoon to urge them to immediately report any sign of fires.
The locals were also encouraged to call police if they spotted any suspicious activity around the lagoon.
A Station Officer at Dee Why fire station, Jason Collits, said there were numerous reports of male youths seen running from, or being near, the seats of the fires.
S.O. Collits said most of the fires were started in the bush on the southern edge of the lagoon, just off Richmond Ave, near Clyde Rd.
“We were worried because that’s pretty close to a busy children's playground, the car park at the back of the surf club and a walking and bike track.
“There were concerns that the fires could get out of control. We wanted to knock it on the head before it got out of hand.”
As part of the strategy the Dee Why firefighters deliberately increased their presence in the area. They regularly did a drive-by of the reserve most weekday afternoons, between 4pm and 5pm, the time when most of the fires were lit.
“We’d get out and check fire hydrants, so people could see us and let people know we were around,” S.O. Collits said.
“Then we started doorknocking.”
The firefighters visited about 60 homes, mostly units along Richmond Ave who have views over the reserve.
The visits not only allowed crews to ask the residents to keep a lookout, but gave the occupants a chance to have their smoke alarms checked, and replaced for free. They were also given home fire safety information.
S.O. Collits said the community blitz worked.
“There hasn’t been a fire in the Dee Why lagoon area since September 27,” he said.
It is understood Northern Beaches Police have questioned at least one person in relation to the fires.
If you want a free home fire safety check, register online www.fire.nsw.gov.au/visits.