Detectives are urging witnesses to come forward after a string of suspicious fires in the heart of Ballarat.
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CFA crews were called to grass fires three days in a row this week along the Bunny Rail Trail, which follows the former Ballarat East-Buninyong railway underneath Victoria Street near Rodier Street.
The first blaze on the walking track broke out about 6.10pm on Sunday.
On Monday, Senior Constable Ryan Newman said officers saw the second fire while out on patrol on Victoria Street, immediately calling the CFA just after 2pm.
Fire crews went through residential backyards on Rodier Street in order to access the blaze, which was burning in a drainage easement.
The fire was brought under control before 2.45pm.
“There was no property damage and it’s all been contained to the hillside,” Senior Constable Ryan Newman said.
“We’ve now got some inquires to make in relation to possible witnesses.”
Then on Tuesday, fire crews were again forced to attend the scene about 8.50am following reports of smoke.
Police officers inspected the scene after firefighters had contained the blazes, deeming all incidents as suspicious.
Senior Sergeant Stacey Glenister said it was reckless behaviour as the weather begins to warm up and grass starts to dry out underneath the sun.
The case has been handed over to Ballarat’s Crime Investigation Unit detectives, who have called on anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
In November 2015, residents feared an arsonist was lighting fires at Lucas.
Several grass fires broke out along Cuthberts Road close to houses, with investigators treating each as suspicious.
Anyone with information about this week’s fires near Rodier Street is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au