Teens arrested for Aldinga Beach arson after police pursuit through metropolitan Adelaide

Residents of a seaside street are living in fear following a series of fires, including an overnight blaze that destroyed a home and led to the arrest of a gang of teens after a 70km police pursuit.

A woman whose family home was destroyed in an alleged arson attack has praised her neighbours for rushing to help, as police probe three fires at the same Aldinga Beach address in a matter of days.

The series of incidents has left residents of Pebble Court on edge, with witnesses describing a disturbing pattern of fires at the home.

The latest fire, which broke out early on Monday morning, caused significant damage and largely gutted the house.

About 30 firefighters arrived just before 1am and contained the fire to the single property before it could extend to a neighbouring one.

The fire caused extensive damage to the Pebble Court home. Picture: Natasha Emeck

The roof collapsed and total damage has been estimated at $200,000. Picture: Natasha Emeck

But this was not before the carport – where the fire started – was destroyed and the home largely gutted, with an estimated damage bill of $200,000.

Six teens were later arrested over the blaze after an epic 70km police pursuit that ended in Two Wells, north of Adelaide.

The occupants were not home at the time but returned later on Monday morning to survey the devastation. One woman said she was overwhelmed by the support they received.

“Yeah look, the neighbours were fantastic,” she said. “They helped out, but yeah, the family’s pretty gutted.”

The fire started in the carport before quickly spreading into the roof of the main part of the house. Picture: Natasha Emeck

It marked the third fire at the address in just seven days.

The first incident unfolded about 1.15am on Tuesday, July 15, when police and fire crews were called to reports of a car fire in the driveway.

When officers arrived, they found a stolen Kia sedan alight.

The vehicle had rolled down the driveway, across the road, and crashed into a neighbour’s yard, where it set a section of fence ablaze.

The Kia had been reported stolen from a Plympton home the previous morning.

The neighbour whose fence was damaged said the event left him shaken.

“The car rolled across and caught fire over here,” he said.

“I worry it’s gangs. We listen out and see if there’s been any cars coming (down the street), which is a bit of a worry.”

He described the family living at the home across the road as “very good neighbours” and said it was sad to see their home destroyed in the most recent fire.

Another neighbour said they had feared things would only escalate after Saturday night, July 19, when a second fire broke out.

SA Police later confirmed a small fire at the address that evening, and said they were investigating possible links between all three incidents.

Six teens have been charged over Monday morning’s fire after a 70km police pursuit. Picture: Natasha Emeck

“Saturday night, they threw something at the house, but that didn’t do anything,” a resident said.

“It’s pretty brazen. We even went to bed thinking something was going to happen – and it did.”

When police on the scene of this morning’s fire, a Subaru station wagon seen leaving the street was detected as a vehicle allegedly stolen from a Mitchell Park home last week.

Police attempted to stop the car but say the driver refused to pull over and a pursuit commenced.

The police helicopter and Dog Operations Unit were called in as the pursuit continued on South Rd, on to the Southern Expressway and through Adelaide’s eastern suburbs.

Pebble Court residents say there has been a series of fires on their street over the past week. Picture: Natasha Emeck

The car continued to Two Wells, where its tyres were spiked along Port Wakefield Road.

The six youths dumped the car and made a run for it, scattering through nearby paddocks and properties.

Residents living along Artisan Road said they were woken by the sound of barking dogs and yelling around 3am as officers swarmed the area behind their homes.

“They sort of got them down there, and the six of them just ran into the paddock there,” one local said.

“Most of the cop cars were up near the corner, a few were here.

“They went through my block here. They went through next door too.”

“Normally it’s quiet here. You never hear anything like this.”

The group was eventually rounded up and arrested on Artisan Road with the help of police dog Duke.

The driver, a 17-year-old boy from Ottoway, was arrested and charged with arson, illegal use of a motor vehicle and dangerous driving to escape a pursuit.

Four 15-year-old boys and a 16-year-old boy, were charged with arson and illegal use of a motor vehicle.

All six will appear in the Youth Court on Monday.

Police and crime scene investigators are continuing to probe the attacks, and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Originally published as Teens arrested for Aldinga Beach arson after police pursuit through metropolitan Adelaide