Police charge 17-year-old girl over Bonogin grassfires they suspect were deliberately lit

Police investigating fires in a hinterland community have charged a teenage girl with arson. Full details.

Police have charged a 17-year-old girl with four counts of arson over grass fires they believe were deliberately lit in the Gold Coast hinterland.

Emergency crews responded to multiple fires in grassland near Waltham Court, Bonogin Road and Brighton Lane between 2.45pm and 4.10pm on Tuesday.

No one was injured and the fires were quickly brought under control by firefighters.

Police said it was believed the blazes had been deliberately lit and launched an investigation, appealing to the public for help.

Acting Chief Superintendent Geoff Sheldon. Picture: Scott Powick.

On Thursday they arrested a 17-year-old girl. She has been issued a notice to appear on four counts of arson and is expected to appear at Southport Children’s Court on November 8.

Gold Coast District Disaster Co-Ordinator, Acting Chief Superintendent Geoff Sheldon, said police take arson very seriously.

“Let this serve as a warning as Queensland begins battling what is sure to be a devastating bushfire season,” he said.

“We will investigate all fires as to their origin and bring those responsible to justice if fires are found to be deliberately lit.”

PREVIOUSLY: POLICE APPEAL OVER SUSPECTED ARSON

Police are on the hunt for a possible firebug after emergency crews were called to multiple grass fires in the Bonogin Valley on Tuesday afternoon.

Fire crews dealt with the fires in grassland near Waltham Court, Bonogin Road and Brighton Lane between 2.45pm and 4.10pm.

The Mudgeeraba Rural Fire Brigade said the blazes were “deliberately lit”.

“Over the last 24 hours, Mudgeeraba Rural Fire Brigade and Bonogin Valley Rural Fire Brigade have responded to five fires lit on the sides of the road throughout Bonogin Valley,” they said in a statement.

“These appear to be deliberately lit but crews were able to quickly extinguish them thanks to our fast first responders.”

Rural Fire Brigade vehicles at the scene of fires in Tara on Tuesday. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Police said detectives had launched an investigation into the fires and appealed for anyone who was in the area at the time or had dashcam footage to contact them.

Speaking on the Gold Coast, Federal Emergency Services Minister Murray Watt said anyone found to be deliberately lighting grassfires were “absolute nongs”.

“The Gold Coast region – along with pretty much everywhere in southeast Queensland – has a fire ban at the moment,” Senator Watt said. “It is important that people recognise the importance of complying with that ban.

“And it’s so unfortunate that every fire season we see absolute nongs going around deliberately lighting fires that put other people at risk.

“Of course, if these people are caught, they will be charged. It is not on to be going around deliberately lighting fires, that put firefighters at risk, that put your fellow local residents at risk. And we will go after people who do the wrong thing.”

Local councillor Glenn Tozer said arson was “deadly serious” and what had occurred was “very troubling”.

“The current condition of our hinterland means there’s a particularly heightened risk of bushfire,” Cr Tozer said.

“And the news from local fire brigades that some recent spot fires may have been intentionally lit is very troubling.

“The best solution to this is all the community working together to be vigilant and working with QFES and police to keep the hinterland safe.”

Federal Emergency Services Minister Murray Watt. Picture: Michaela Harlow.

The suspected arson comes as fire crews continue to battle dangerous bushfires in multiple parts of Queensland, with residents in areas south of Warwick urged to leave their homes on Wednesday morning.

Cr Tozer said rural fire brigade members from the Gold Coast had been helping to fight the blazes.

“The rural fire brigades are gems of our community. Mudgeeraba Rural Fire Brigade have actually been out fighting fires in mid-western Queensland over past weeks,” Cr Tozer said.

“They’re not just helping locally and keeping locals prepared but there’s actually fires being fought by Mudgeeraba members in those western communities.”

Division 9 councillor Glenn Tozer. Picture: Jerad Williams.

There has been a fire ban in place on the Gold Coast since Monday amid dangerously hot and windy conditions.

“Current fire conditions are perfect for bushfires to ignite and spread quickly,” a QFES notice said.

“Under a local fire ban all open fires are prohibited and all Permits to Light Fire which have been issued in the designated areas have been suspended for the duration of the ban.

“Power tools may be used during a local fire ban however QFES encourages people to use these with extreme care and ensure adequate equipment is available to extinguish any fire which may start.

“This may include having a person available to watch out for any ignitions that occur.”

The ban remains in place until 11.59pm on Thursday, though may be extended if dangerous weather conditions continue.

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