Police target firebugs after suspicious fires break out in central Victoria

Police are on the lookout for firebugs as they investigate a possible link between several suspicious fires that broke out in central Victoria.

A large bushfire broke out in Creswick on Monday afternoon. Picture: Facebook/Coimadai Fire Brigade

Police are hunting for possible arsonists after several suspicious fires broke out in central Victoria while a fire ban covered much of the state.

Police are investigating multiple grass fires in the Goldfields area this week and inquiring into any link between them.

Emergency services responded to a fire at the intersection of Barutas Rd and Avoca-Bealiba Rd in Bealiba, west of Bendigo, about 6am on Sunday.

The following day, another fire was reported on Emu-Logan Rd in Logan – about 15km north of the Bealiba location, at 5.30am.

Then a third fire was discovered on Logan-Bealiba Road in Cochranes Creek, also close to the previous two blazes, about 8.30am.

Firefighters battling the Creswick bushfire. Picture: Facebook/Coimadai Fire Brigade

Detectives are also looking into a grass fire on Maryborough-St Arnaud Road in Alma on the afternoon of December 11.

None of the fires caused significant damage and were contained before becoming out of control.

Police said they would “investigate and take action to catch those responsible when a fire is deemed suspicious, whether it was a deliberate or reckless action”.

Recklessly or intentionally causing a bushfire can attract up to 15 years’ imprisonment, and lighting a fire on a total fire ban day can result in a fine of up to $46,000 or up to two years in jail.

People jumping off Altona Pier as the heat hits 38 degrees on Monday. Picture: Ian Currie

A total fire ban was declared for Monday across large parts of the state, with a bushfire breaking out in Creswick in the afternoon.

That fire continued to be brought under control on Tuesday morning.

Anyone with information about the incidents was urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or online, and anyone seeing suspicious or reckless behaviour should call triple-0.