UPDATE:
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Ballarat Criminal Investigation Unit detectives have arrested and interviewed a 10-year-old boy and an 11-year old boy in relation to fires that occurred in Sebastopol on Tuesday.
Ballarat Criminal Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Steven Murphy previously told The Courier firefighters were extinguishing a grass fire on vacant land between Hill Street and Vickers Street just after 1pm when they noticed smoke billowing from nearby Phoenix College.
Firefighters arrived to find bins on fire. The fire had spread to a nearby shed but it was quickly contained and nothing stored inside was damaged, Detective Senior Constable Murphy said.
Both fires were deemed suspicious and an investigation commenced.
Detective Senior Constable Murphy said if firefighters hadn’t been in Sebastopol at the time and noticed the fire at Phoenix, it could have had very different results.
The children were arrested on Thursday morning and received an official caution with the investigation now complete.
EARLIER:
Detectives are investigating two suspicious fires that occurred within half an hour of one another and damaged a shed at Phoenix College.
Firefighters were called to a small grassfire burning on vacant land in Sebastopol just after 1pm on Tuesday.
Ballarat Criminal Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Steven Murphy said firefighters were extinguishing a grass fire on vacant land between Hill Street and Vickers Street when they noticed smoke billowing from nearby Phoenix College.
Firefighters arrived to find bins on fire. The fire had spread to a nearby shed but it was quickly contained and nothing stored inside was damaged, Detective Senior Constable Murphy said.
Both fires are believed to be deliberately lit.
“A fire investigator was at the scene (on Tuesday) and CIU is continuing investigations,” Detective Senior Constable Murphy said.
“Dangerous actions can put the community at risk.
“If firefighters hadn’t been in Sebastopol at the time and noticed the fire, the fire at Phoenix could have had very different results.”
Firefighters and police were also called to another suspicious car fire at 2am on Wednesday in Mount Helen.
Detective Senior Constable Murphy said a white Ford Utility that had been stolen hours earlier was set alight and destroyed.
District 15 CFA operations manager has urged residents to be vigilant and remember the risks arson poses.
Arson has often been a factor in the region’s bushfires. In 2015 police investigated a string of bushfires in Carngham Road, Cardigan believed to be deliberately lit by a firebug.
“Bushfire arson can result in a huge cost to the community through loss of life, destruction of property and destruction of the environment,” Mr Boatman said.
Anyone who saw suspicious activity should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
