Appeal for info on suspected arsonist

By Jeremy Sollars

Rural firefighters continue to hold grave fears that a suspected arsonist active in the Dalveen and surrounding areas may pose a threat to both life and property.

As reported in the Free Times in our July 12 edition suspicious fires involving stacks of timber on rural properties were extinguished by rural crews on Thursday 7 June and on the weekends of 16-17 June and 23-24 June.

The activity then appeared to cease but a series of five grass fires relatively close to and within a few hours of each other last Sunday night, 22 July, suggest the person or persons unknown may again be active.

Urban and rural fire crews worked on Sunday night to control fires at the corner of Granite Belt Drive and Butler Road at Dalveen, Pfunder Road at Pozieres, Teale Road at The Summit and on Pozieres School Road and Pozieres Road.

The fires were all reported by the public between 6pm and 7.30pm, leading firefighters to suspect they were all deliberately lit.

The ‘straight’ pattern of the fires indicates the likely use of an accelerant.

The Teale Road fire came close to threatening a residence, as did a fire on O’Keefe’s Road fire at Dalveen on the weekend of 23-24 June, when 10 acres were burnt and flames almost reached a hayshed on the property.

Rural firefighters at the time said with a change of wind direction the home on the property may have been under threat, along with neighbouring properties.

The other fires in June were on Tunnel Road at Dalveen.

The arson activity is particularly troubling due to the tinder-dry conditions across the region, with both the Warwick and Stanthorpe areas identified by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services as the prime bushfire ‘hot spots’ on the Darling Downs this year.

The bushfire season ‘officially’ starts in August but volunteer rural fire crews are already on high alert.

Dalveen and surrounding residents are being urged to report any suspicious behaviour or unfamiliar vehicles in the area to the police – call Crime Stoppers anonymously 24 hours a day on 1800 333 000 or the Stanthorpe Police on 4681 6400.

• For the latest bushfire information and advice on preparing your ‘Bushfire Survival Plan’ visit www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au