A city on edge: Orange residents shocked by exploding country crime crisis

Rocked by another overnight car torching the ‘”rattled” residents of Orange in country NSW say they’ve been left sickened by rising youth crime crisis in the area.

Shaken residents of Orange in country NSW say they’ve been left sickened by rising youth crime crisis in the area.

Locals in James Sheahan Drive on Tuesday woke to the sound of an explosion - like gunshots, one said - and looked outside to see a small hatchback completely engulfed in flames, the culprits having made a swift getaway.

And they say it’s just the latest incidence of a crime wave that has residents on edge.

Oranage Fire Operations officer Zac Hojel said the hatchback was “fully involved by fire” by the time they arrive around 6am.

A torched car on fire on James Sheahan Drive in Orange. Picture: Supplied

Orange residents in James Sheahan Drive woke to the sound of an explosion when a car was set alight. Picture: Supplied

The torched car is part of a crime wave that has residents on edge. Picture: Supplied

Catie V, who did not wish to give her full surname for safety reasons, filmed the fire from her window.

“I thought it was gunshots at first, bang bang bang, then I saw it,” she said.

“It scared the sh-t out of my dog, too.”

The young woman said she’s seen burnt out cars on other streets, with arson a “semi-regular” occurrence.

“It’s kids around here that are bored, they get a slap on the wrist and they do it all again,” she said.

“I plan on leaving this town soon, because I don’t feel safe here.”

One young woman said arson was a “semi-regular” occurrence in Orange.Picture: Rohan Kelly

Police establish a crime scene at Orange after the latest arson attack. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Neighbour Dallas Holmes was asleep with his wife, his kids and his parents at home when an explosion woke them up.

“My folks thought they heard someone walking around, but I think they (the perpetrators) have just lit it and run,” he said.

Residents of James Sheehan Drive in Orange were rattled by the torching of a car in their street. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“We weren’t rattled but we were shocked - this is the first time we’ve seen a car fire on this street.

“There are a lot of cars that have been burnt out and stolen in Orange, it’s really become an issue over the past six years.

“You get desensitised to it.”

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Originally published as A city on edge: Orange residents shocked by exploding country crime crisis