Staggering $25k reward from police after ‘suspicious’ bushfires

Police are offering a surprising reward for information after a second suspicious fire in as many days tore through bushland.

Detectives investigating a series of suspicious blazes in Perth have put a $25,000 reward on the line as they hunt for a suspected arsonist.

Emergency services were called to bushland at Stratton, in the city’s northeast suburbs, shortly after 2am on Friday following reports of a fire.

In a statement, WA Police said the fire was being treated as suspicious and that investigators were urging anyone with information to come forward.

Images of a suspicious fire in Perth's northeast. Picture: WA Police,

The suspicious blaze was reportedly the second in as many days, after state firefighters were called to the same area on Wednesday afternoon.

As many as fifty personnel are understood to have been called to Friday’s fire at an area bound by the Roe Hwy, Toodyay Rd, and Farrell Rd.

Footage released of the aftermath of the inferno shows a large swath of bushland blackened by fire, and parts of a nearby dirt road damaged.

Police are currently offering rewards of up to $25,000 for anyone with information that leads to the “identification and conviction” of an arsonist.

The fire is the second in as many days in the area. Picture: WA Police,

The investigation comes as emergency crews brace for a difficult fire season in WA, with a number of homes already having been destroyed.

On Saturday, the state Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued an advice warning for people travelling on the Brand Hwy.

While not present any risk, a fire at the intersection the busy highway and Rocky Spring Rd an Eneabba was creating “a lot of smoke”.

As many as 18 homes were earlier destroyed in a bushfire that ripped through Perth in November, with rural sheds and businesses impacted.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage of the bushfire at Stratton is urged to contact Crimestoppers.

Originally published as Staggering $25k reward from police after ‘suspicious’ bushfires