Mystery as arsonists target items left out for collection in Inner West suburb

An inner Sydney suburb has been rocked after a spate of “deliberate” fires on items left out on the street for collection over the weekend.

A Sydney suburb has been targeted in a series of arson attacks after locals left out items for a local giveaway group.

Locals in Leichardt, in the city’s Inner West, took to a community social media group to reveal items classified as “street bounty”, including a couch, boxes and a mattress, had been set alight.

It is understood there were up to three different incidents on Sunday.

One woman warned others to be careful where they place pay-it-forward items out.

“Anyone with things outside their house as bounty or council pick up items: beware, I just had some small items set alight outside my house in Leichardt,” she wrote.

“The fire brigade was called and they said it was the 3rd one this afternoon.

A spokesperson for Fire and Rescue NSW told NewsWire there was no information on how the fires started but the most likely cause was deliberate. Picture: Facebook

“Then another pile of things was (sic) alight around the corner.”

A spokesperson for Fire and Rescue NSW told NewsWire there was no information on how the fires started but the most likely cause was deliberate.

Just after 3.40pm firefighters responded to a lounge on fire on the side of the road on Percival Street.

A nearby vehicle was damaged by the heat.

A short time later, at about 4.30pm, they extinguished a rubbish fire on Albert Street and at 4.50pm, another on National Street.

Police confirmed they had attended the fires to determine whether they were suspicious.

“Police have commenced an investigation into a number of small fire incidents in Sydney’s inner west last weekend,” a spokesperson told NewsWire.

“Between Saturday 31 May 2025 and Sunday 1 June 2025, emergency services were called to multiple locations following reports of small fires.”

An Inner West suburb has been rocked by mystery arsonists, who are seemingly targeting items left out for free collection . Picture: Facebook

“About 5.40pm on Saturday 31 May 2025, emergency services were called to Lilyfield Road, Rozelle, following reports of mesh-like material found alight on the street,” the spokesperson said.

“About 6.15pm on the same day, emergency services were called to Moore Street, Leichhardt, following reports of rubbish fire.

“About 4.45pm on Sunday 1 June 2025, emergency services were called to Albert Street, Leichhardt following reports of a chair found alight on the street.”

No injuries were reported from any of the incidents.

“Police have not confirmed the incidents are linked at this time,” the spokesperson said.

Numerous residents said they had also seen sporadic fires across the streets of Leichardt.

“I walked past a house tonight where someone had set alight the council pickup,” one resident said.

“The homeowners had just arrived home to find it.”

A second added: “We saw some boxes alight this afternoon after soccer on MacKenzie Street.”

Firefighters attended three separate fires in Leichardt on Sunday afternoon. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

“(A) bag of stuff was on fire in (the) park on the corner of Elswick and William St,” another wrote.

“It looks like a mattress or something has been set on fire on the footpath at the top of Hill St near Balmain Rd,” a fourth said.

“Dumped office chair and a bag of junk set alight on corner Albert/Elswick this afternoon,” another local said.

“The Firies said they had just put out another similar fire and there were more yesterday.”

Many were shocked to see that items that had been left out in acts of goodwill, had been destroyed.

Others saw the lighter side of the situation, writing: “Someone’s been arson around”.

Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.