Roxburgh Park man remanded until March 31 on charges of intentionally causing a bushfire
A man has been charged in connection with more than a dozen bush and grass fires in Roxburgh Park and Craigieburn after what police described as a “prolonged and difficult” investigation.
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A man accused of lighting more than a dozen blazes in Melbourne’s outer north will spend the rest of the fire season in custody.
The alleged serial fire starter – believed to be behind fires dating back to mid-October – has been remanded at least until his next court appearance in late March.
The “prolonged and difficult” investigation had been causing headaches for Hume crime investigation unit detectives for several months but the operation came to fruition just before Christmas.
Jason Ball, 47, was allegedly caught in the vicinity of a suspicious blaze after three grass areas were set alight in Roxburgh Park and Craigieburn in the early hours of December 21.
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The Roxburgh Park man has been hit with 11 charges, including intentionally causing a bushfire and criminal damage by fire.
He fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court that same day where he was remanded to face court again on March 31.
The first fire occurred on the corner of James Mirams Drive and Bridgewater Rd, Roxburgh Park about 3.35am on December 21.
It was followed by another blaze on the corner of Hayfield Rd and Statesman Ave, Roxburgh Park about 3.55am before a third blaze was set in Craigieburn on the corner of Lakes Drive and Waterford Ave about 4.15am.
The CFA extinguished each of the three fires without any damage to properties.
In October last year police put out an appeal for information after 13 suspicious fires within a fortnight in Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park.
One incident saw a fire lit underneath pine trees at Craigieburn Public Golf Course on October 23, while another saw a scrub fire take hold of two fences and cause a window to explode at a house in Leveque Loop, Craigieburn on October 26.
Detective Sergeant James Marsden told the Leader it was a “massively difficult” investigation.
“As the fuel load dried out the increased danger to public safety was at the forefront of our minds.
“We’ve noticed a decrease in fire in the geographical area since the arrest.”
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Sgt Marsden urged people to remain vigilant and report suspicious behaviour to police.
He said they were assisted by the Arson and Explosives Squad during the more than two month investigation.
It comes after another suspected arsonist was arrested following four suspicious blazes that were lit in bushland in Viewbank and Lower Plenty on a day of total fire ban in November.
And the blaze that damaged three homes and ripped through 40ha in Plenty Gorge on December 30 is also being investigated by police.