Canberra woman arrested over fire at Gordon mobile phone tower

A woman’s alleged attempt to set fire to a suburban mobile phone tower has landed her in hot water after police swooped in.

A woman has been arrested after allegedly setting fire to a mobile phone tower in Canberra.

Police were called to the Gordon playing fields shortly after 7am on Sunday after reports of person dressed in black breaking into a fenced-off area armed with a large knife.

A few minutes later the caller made a second report, advising that the person had set a fire at the compound and was walking away. The caller kept the person in their sight as they walked away.

A woman has been arrested after allegedly setting fire to a mobile phone tower. Picture: ACT Police

Officers arrived shortly after and found the fire was nearly out at the compound, which contained a generator, a fuel cell containing 1000 litres of diesel fuel, and a phone tower control box.

A 41-year-old Gordon woman was found nearby allegedly carrying two kitchen knives, a fire starter and flammable chemicals, gloves, and industrial electrical fuses.

The woman will face the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday charged with three counts of property damage, possessing a knife without a reasonable excuse, and possession of stolen property.

She will face court on Monday. Picture: ACT Police

She was charged with property damage. Picture: ACT Police

ACT Policing expect further charges may be laid regarding interruption to the mobile phone network.

Examination of the scene by police revealed extensive damage to the generator, its fuel storage pod, an electricity meter, and other property at the site.

Police say both the generator and nearby mobile phone tower were rendered inoperable by the fire.