Bundaberg couple targeted in case of mistaken identity

Scientist and grandfather Simon Tannock could not believe it when his dream home drew the apparent anger of one or more ‘arsonists’ who tried to torch his fence and his hedge, then he found out who used to live there.

Alloway's Simon Tannock with his new sign, alerting his tormentors to the fact that the people they think still live in his house are no longer there.

What happens when you move into your dream home and suddenly find yourself on the receiving end of some scary and destructive behaviour without a clue as to why?

That is what happened to Bundaberg grandfather and scientist Simon Tannock, who relocated to the suburb of Alloway in early 2024 from Moore Park, only to find he - or at least his new house - was a target for some apparently very angry people.

One week after moving into their new home Mr Tannock and his partner realised they had “walked into a wasps nest” when a 2m section of their wooden fence was set on fire.

Initially confused as to why somebody would do that, they sought context from a neighbour who explained it was not the first time the house had been targeted.

Alloway's Simon Tannock with his new sign.

Hoping to deter any would-be arsonists, Mr Tannock erected a handmade sign.

After that, a month went by without any trouble, though Mr Tannock said he felt on edge, and took to sleeping in the front room in case anything happened.

He was also very aware of the cars he could hear driving along his road, which was quite isolated.

After nine months went past, he thought the trouble was well and truly over so he took the sign down.

The very next day, on October 21, somebody threw a flaming pine cone into his hedge.

The scorched pine cones that Simon Tannock says were thrown into his hedge.

A passerby saw the hedge burning and knocked on Mr Tannock’s front door and told him he had just stomped out a fire at the front of the property.

Upon inspecting the scene, Mr Tannock saw the fire had been lit where the sign had stood until the day before.

He also found a two burned pine cones and cheap barbecue accelerant.

This prompted him to take to social media, posting to the Bundaberg community forum:

“We bought the house in February and we are sick of arsonists setting our fence and hedge on fire.

“We don’t know them and want to be left alone.

“And if you have dashcam of a car parked outside the house at 7:30 tonight (21 Oct), I would appreciate a copy.”

Alloway home owner Simon Tannock found this firestarter along with burned pine cones.

Mr Tannock said on Wednesday the response to his post online had been generally supportive, and left him feeling reassured.

The pine cones, along with security footage of an unknown car parked out front of the property on the night of October 21, have been submitted to police, who were unable to confirm on Thursday if the matter was being investigated.

Meanwhile, Mr Tannock and his partner have been gifted a new sign from a member of the community.

Originally published as Bundaberg couple targeted in case of mistaken identity