Fire crews quickly got the latest Tank Hill fire under control before it could do too much damage - unlike the 2015 fire. By Catherine Watson
HAS the Wonthaggi firebug returned?
Residents of the south side of town are on high alert after four deliberately lit fires in the past fortnight.
They revived memories of the infamous arsonist or arsonists who terrorised the town back in 2015.
Bass Coast Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following the recent fires:
HAS the Wonthaggi firebug returned?
Residents of the south side of town are on high alert after four deliberately lit fires in the past fortnight.
They revived memories of the infamous arsonist or arsonists who terrorised the town back in 2015.
Bass Coast Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following the recent fires:
- A fire in a backyard on Miners Drive overnight on 12 January
- Grass fire on Chisholm Road on 16 January
- Fire at Tank Hill Reserve around 4.30am on Wednesday, 19 January
- Grass fire in a laneway on Reed Crescent around 9.15am on Monday, January 24.
There are disturbing similarities to the 2015 fires. The Tank Hill fire was lit close to the starting point for the December 2015 fire that razed about a third of the reserve.
On this occasion, fire crews quickly got the blaze under control before it could do too much damage.
Back in 2015, around 20 fires were deliberately lit in and around the south side of town. They included at least six vacant houses, carports and fences, as well as grass and bush fires in back lanes and near houses.
All the arson attacks occurred between 10pm and 4am. Many residents reported getting up several times during the night to check for smoke or flames.
No one was ever charged with lighting the fires but they ceased in 2016.
You can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
A police spokeswoman said no one has been injured and no structures damaged in the current spate of fires.