Man charged after a suspicious fire near Point Lonsdale back beach

A man has been charged after a suspicious fire burnt about two acres of land in Point Lonsdale on Tuesday.

Firefighters and police on scene. Photo: Supplied.

Geelong Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man following a grass fire in Point Lonsdale.

The fire was quickly controlled by emergency services, however about two acres of land was burnt.

No one was injured.

Bradley Robert McGaw, 41, of no fixed address was found on Main St, Point Lonsdale and arrested.

It is alleged he stole a pushbike during an aggravated burglary on Albert St prior to the alleged fires.

He was charged with criminal damage by fire, criminal damage by fire endangering life, theft, aggravated burglary and other related offences.

Mr McGaw fronted the Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday and his application for bail was refused.

He will appear in court again on January 22.

EARLIER: Fire crews from across the Bellarine were called to fight a suspicious blaze at a popular holiday destination on the peninsula.

A Country Fire Authority (CFA) spokesman said firefighters responded to reports just after 12.30pm on Tuesday of bushes on fire on Glaneuse Rd, just a few hundred metres inland from the beach and the town’s seaside cafe and shopping strip.

The spokesman said four units from Queenscliff, Ocean Grove and Mannerim attended the scene alongside crews from Fire Rescue Victoria.

“Upon arrival, crews found a fire spreading and began work to contain the situation,” he said.

He said Victoria Police had been contacted due to suspicious circumstances surrounding the blaze.

The spokesman confirmed the fire was deemed under control at 1.45pm and declared safe before 2.40pm.

Originally published as Man charged after a suspicious fire near Point Lonsdale back beach