Sydney residents furious after illegal fireworks use during fire ban
An alleged fake firey, a garbage fire, illegal fireworks and a suspicious bushfire during a total fire ban prompted by catastrophic fire danger and hot, dry, windy weather have caught police attention.
St George Shire Standard
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Reckless people have potentially endangered lives setting off illegal fireworks across Sydney in catastrophic fire danger conditions, leaving residents alarmed and furious.
Residents in Sydney’s south reported hearing the sound of crackers in Arncliffe, Turrella and Bardwell Valley, as horrifyingly hot and dry conditions left bushfires raging across the state.
A NSW Police spokeswoman confirmed St George police officers attended Silver Jubilee Park in Bardwell Valley following reports of youths setting off illegal fireworks.
“Officers found evidence at the location of fireworks, however, no one was found,” she said.
“Police will continue patrols of the area.”
An anonymous resident told the St George Shire Standard fireworks could be repeatedly heard in Arncliffe between 8pm and 10.30pm.
“Despite the catastrophic fire conditions and high winds, there were still illegal fireworks being let off in Arncliffe tonight,” they said.
A 19-year-old man has also been arrested in Loftus for allegedly posing as an emergency services officer and having suspected stolen goods in custody after he was arrested dressed in a Fire and Rescue NSW uniform at 9.30pm yesterday.
Sutherland police were told a man dressed as a firefighter had been seen riding a motor scooter in the Royal National Park before he was arrested on Farnell Ave.
He was released on strict conditional bail to face Sutherland Local Court on December 4.
However, police are still investigating the fire which broke out near Loftus in the Royal National Park, which was described as “clearly suspicious” by the RFS Commissioner.
No-one has been arrested in relation to the fire yet and investigations continue following reports there were several ignition points in dense bushland near Kirrawee, Sutherland and Loftus.
State Emergency Operations Controller Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys, praised the community for working together and supporting each other so positively.
“It has been heartening to see the community working together as we experienced catastrophic fire conditions over the past few days,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.
“Now we need help from the community again – this time to assist our detectives who are beginning investigations into the cause of fires suspected of being deliberately lit across several police area commands and police districts.”
A 26-year-old man was also issued with an infringement notice after he allegedly lit a fire in a makeshift incinerator outside a home on Bay St, Rockdale, to dispose of rubbish.
Deputy Commissioner Worboys said that it was disappointing that a few people’s actions had the potential to impact negatively on the rest of the community.
“The vast majority of people really banded together and supported each other during a time of catastrophic danger,” he said.
“It’s unacceptable that the actions of these few individuals endangered the lives and property of others, either intentionally or through ignorance.”
The Rural Fire Service previously issued a stern warning about the statewide total fire ban.
“We are facing an unprecedented level of bushfire danger,” a spokesman said.
“Any fire that starts and takes hold will threaten lives and homes.”
Police yesterday dealt with four people for breaching the statewide total fire ban, issuing two on-the-spot infringements to two men in Wallacia and Prestons and a warning under the Young Offenders Act for a nine-year-old boy who started a grass fire with a blowtorch in Worrigee.
A third man from Lalor Park was arrested for failing to comply with a total fire ban order and breaching bail and he appeared at Blacktown Local Court yesterday.
More to come.