Police call for answers about ‘suspicious’ fires near Kempsey

Police are appealing for public assistance as they investigate the cause of several bushfires on the state’s Mid North Coast.

A fire truck at Kempsey fire control centre. Picture: Chris Knight

Police are appealing for public assistance as they investigate the cause of several bushfires on the state’s Mid North Coast.

About 4pm on Tuesday, October 17, emergency services were called to McGuires Crossing Rd at Belmore River – about 15km east of Kempsey – following reports of a bushfire.

The fire, which has been brought under control, has burnt through nearly 3000ha of bushland in the Hat Head National Park.

The blaze - which is now listed at Advice level - briefly isolated the seaside holiday hamlet of Hat Head.

Under Strike Force Tronto, detectives from the Financial Crime Squad’s Arson Unit, with assistance from officers from the Mid North Coast Police District, commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the blaze, which is believed to be suspicious.

As inquiries continue, detectives are keen to speak with the driver of a white Nissan Patrol tabletop utility, with a broken tail-light, which was seen in the area about 3pm that day.

Detectives are also investigating if the fire has any links to blazes that occurred on Lighthouse Rd at Arakoon, Maria River Rd at Crescent Head, and Crescent Head Rd at Crescent Head, which occurred between 6am and 8am on Tuesday, October 17.

Any witnesses or anyone with further information is urged to come forward.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Temperatures and winds are expected to increase significantly across the district on Wednesday, where there are five fires east of the M1, and the challenging Willi Willi Rd bushfire west of Kempsey.

That fire has chewed through nearly 30,000 hectares and is listed as being controlled.

Local man Richard Mainey lost his life last week doing property protection at a family farm at Temagog.