Police have arrested an 11 year old boy over two bushfires at Port Stephens.
Emergency services received reports of a grass fire at Raymond Terrace last Sunday, and later that day another fire began in bush land at Heatherbrae.
The Heatherbrae fire destroyed more than 5000 hectares of bush land.
Senior Constable, Sue Thompson, says Port Stephens Local Area Comand detectives, assisted by the State Crime Command's Strike Force Toronto, initial inquires lead them to believe both fires were "deliberately lit".
"Following enquires and information received, detectives arrested an 11 year old boy at a home in Raymond Terrace just after 8.30am today" she said.
The boy was taken to Raymond Terrace police station which he is expected to be charged.
Police say inquiries into the fire are still continuing.
Meanwhile, 14 year old boy has been charged over a fire at Rutherford.
The fire was spotted near a tennis club on the New England Highway.
Members of the public told the police they saw a teenage boy running through traffic, away from the fire.
The fire burned over 400 square metres and was swiftly extinguished by firefighters.
The news comes as information that a 16 year old Windale boy has pleaded guilty to starting a fire in Gelnrock State Conservation Area which destroyed 40 hectares of land and the lives of 70 people with disabilities at risk.
The 14 year old Rutherford boy has been charged and will appear at Children's Court.
