Two further men have been charged after allegedly lighting fires in separate incidents during yesterday’s total fire ban.
The first instance occurred about 1.40am (Wednesday 13 November 2019), on Johnstone Street, Annandale; where a 37-year-old man allegedly used a crow bar to lift a section of footpath and set underground wires alight.
The man left the scene in the company of a woman, and emergency services were called after flames were seen coming out of the ground.
The blaze was extinguished by Fire and Rescue NSW and officers from Leichhardt Police Area Command were notified.
Following investigations, a 37-year-old man was arrested about 1.30pm close to where the fire was lit. A search warrant was executed at a home on Johnstone Street, Annandale, where several items were seized.
The man was subsequently charged with destroy or damage property in company by means of fire and failing to comply with a total fire ban.
He was refused bail, to appear before Newtown Local Court today (Thursday 14 November 2019).
Meanwhile, inquiries are continuing to identify the woman involved. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
In a second incident, just after 9pm (Wednesday 13 November 2019), emergency services were called to a home on Long Point Road East, Long Point, after reports a small fire had been lit in the backyard.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District spoke with a 26-year-old man, who they will allege lit the fire to burn rubbish.
The fire, which had since been extinguished, was located less than 40 metres from a shed that contained several potential accelerants – including petrol, oil and fertilisers.
The man was issued with a Future Court Attendance Notice for failing to comply with a total fire ban. He is due to appear before Singleton Local Court on 16 January 2020.
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