Second Man Charged Over Council Building Fire

 BY PETER HYSLOP

A second man's been charged following investigations into the alleged arson of Lake Macquarie Council Chambers in November last year.

The fire has forced Council to hold meetings offsite after damage in excess of $12 million was sustained, with Council still convening at Windale while repair work is underway.

Following the blaze, police established Strike Force Komiatum, which issued public appeals for information last month.

Late yesterday afternoon, detectives arrested a 43-year-old man at Newcastle. He was charged with destroying property in company with use of fire, and was refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court today.

It comes as a 53-year-old Maitland man remains before the courts, also charged over the fire.

Police say inquiries are ongoing.

Council chambers after fire in November. Credit: LMCC

Hunter Valley Police Appeal For Information About Two Suspicious Truck Fires at Branxton

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Hunter Valley Police believe two alleged arson incidents in the region may be linked. 

Three trucks parked on Elderslie Road at Branxton, were allegedly set alight on the evening of Saturday the 22nd October last year. 

Two of the trucks were destroyed and one was significantly damaged.

Additionally, on Thursday the 16th of February this year, a fourth truck was set alight and destroyed at the same location. 

Officers have commenced an investigation into the fires and they are being treated as suspicious. 

They're calling for anyone with information or dashcam footage to come forward. 

Women Charged Over Adamstown Fire

BY OLIVIA DILLON

 

A woman has been arrested and charged, following a suspicious fire at Adamstown last year.

Emergency services were called to a property on Dibbs Steet at about 4:30am on Tuesday the 26th of April, following reports of a fire.

Upon arrival, police found a number of vehicles alight, with fire spreading to a nearby three-bedroom house.

Several vehicles and the house were destroyed, however, no one was injured as a result of the blaze.

A crime scene was established and detectives established Strike Force Tinebank to investigate.

Following inquiries, police arrested a 27-year-old woman at Thomas Street in Cardiff, at about 11:30am yesterday. 

 

The woman's been charged with several offences, including destroying property in company using fire, possession of prohibited drugs, and custody of a knife in a public place. 

  

She was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hunter Valley Home Firebombed: CCTV Footage Released

 BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter Valley detectives have released CCTV footage as part of their investigation into an alleged firebombing incident at Muswellbrook late last year.

Emergency services were called a home on Tamar Way in the early hours of  Sunday November 6 following reports of a fire.

The occupants told Police they heard glass shattering outside before seeing flames through the front windows.

One resident suffered minor burns to their shoulder and back while putting the fire out.

It was later found a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the home.

A still image of the footage released by Police

 

Police investigating after suspected arson attack on car at Rutherford

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Police are investigating after a suspected attempted arson attack in Rutherford on Thursday evening. 

About 8.30pm, emergency services were called to a home on Avery Street, after reports of a loud explosion on the street. 

Occupants of the home attempted to extinguish a small fire at the rear of a Chrysler sedan parked outside.

Fire and Rescue crews attended a short time later and extinguished the blaze. 

Police established a crime scene, with the car seized for forensic examination. 

As detectives continue inquiries, anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage between 8pm and 8.45pm in the Rutherford area is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Man charged after double arson attack on Cessnock care home

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A man will face court on Friday charged over two alleged arson attacks at a care facility at Cessnock.

Just before 5am on Thursday, emergency services were called to a care home in Hutton Street, after a fire at the facility. 

Police allege a flammable object had been thrown at the kitchen door.

The fire was extinguished by an employee at the facility and no one was injured. 

Police immediately commenced an investigation into the incident. 

About 4.45pm that same afternoon, emergency services were called to the same facility and police will allege in court another flammable object was thrown at the kitchen door. 

The fire was extinguished by staff and Fire and Rescue NSW, and no one was injured. 

Following inquiries, investigators arrested a 46-year-old man nearby and he was taken to Cessnock Police Station. 

The man was charged with two counts of damage property by fire and was refused bail to appear before Cessnock Local Court on Friday.

Investigations are continuing.

BREAKING! Former Singleton School Destroyed By Fire

BY IAN CROUCH

A former Catholic school at Singleton has been severely damaged by fire overnight.

Firefighters from Singleton, Branxton, Telarah and the RFS were called to the former Catholic Junior School in Patrick Street just after midnight on Tuesday to find four buildings on fire.

Singleton Fire & Rescue says at least 3 demountable buildings were destroyed in the fire.

It's taken crews 3 hours to extinguish the fires.

Police are treating the fire as suspicious and have set up a crime scene as investigations continue.

Crews also had to contend with several grass fires in the Singleton Shire overnight.

One of the demountable classrooms destroyed in the fire Picture: Fr Thomas Chirackal

Man Charged Over Alleged Repeated Arson Attacks on Elderly Lady's Wallsend Home

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man has been charged after several alleged arson attacks at a Wallsend home earlier this year.


Detectives commenced an investigation in relation to three separate arson incidents at a home on Metcalfe Street, Wallsend, on Wednesday 24 June, Saturday 18 and Thursday 30 July 2020.

During these incidents, a house, carport and vehicle were damaged.

An elderly woman was inside the home at the time of all three incidents, but she was uninjured.

Following a public appeal for information and ongoing inquiries, officers arrested a 37-year-old man on Harriet Street, Waratah, and took him to Waratah Police Station.

He was charged with three counts of destroy/damage property with intent to endanger life, two counts of destroy or damage property and one count of common assault.

Police allege the man had an ongoing dispute with a former resident of the property and assaulted him at the home on Sunday 21 June.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court Friday August 21. 

Police Searching For Man, After 3 Arson Attacks in 5 Weeks on Elderly Ladies Wallsend Home

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Police have released a CCTV image of man they suspect can help with their investigations into several suspected arson attacks at a Wallsend property earlier this year.

Detective commenced an investigation in relation to three separate arson attacks, in five weeks, at a home on Metcalfe Street, Wallsend.

The attacks occurred on Wednesday 24 June, Saturday 18 July and Thursday 30 July 2020.

A 70-year-old woman was inside the home at the time of all three incidents, but she was uninjured.

Detectives suspect the person responsible may be targeting a former tenant of the property, who moved out after the initial attack.

During the incidents, minor damage was received to the front and side of the home, a carport area and a vehicle.

As investigators continue their inquiries, police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist with their inquiries.

He’s described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander in appearance, between 170cm-180cm tall, with a solid build and facial hair.

Anyone with information which could assist detectives is urged to contact Newcastle Police Station or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Update! Fire Cuts Power To Hundreds Of Homes Near Cessnock

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are investigating a fire which destroyed an electrical kiosk in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Ausgrid says the fire on Leggetts Drive at Pelaw Main was the result of an arson attack.

The company says local street lighting was blacked out due to the fire, however several residents say they also lost power at the time the fire broke out.

Anyone who can assist police with their inquiries is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

EARLIER:

Fire has destroyed a large electrical pillar box at Pelaw Main, cutting power to hundreds of homes and rural properties.

Firefighters from Kurri Kurri and the RFS were called to Leggetts Drive at about 5.30am on Wednesday to find the power kiosk well alight.

They took around 30 minutes to extinguish the blaze.

Thee cause of the fire is not known at this stage.

Ausgrid is working to restore power to around 400 homes and properties in the district.

The electrical kiosk was well alight when firefighters arrived

It's believed arsonists are responsible for the blaze

  

Firefighters Say Morisset Grass Fire Deliberately Lit

BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters say a large grass fire at Morisset which broke out during Tuesday's catastrophic conditions was deliberately lit.

The fire started in a large area of grass just to the west of Gibson Oval off Kahibah and Newcastle Streets at about 5.00pm

A group of youths on motorbikes were seen leaving the area at the time.

A large strike team comprising firefighters from Budgewoi, Wangi, Morisset and the RFS took about an hour to douse the flames.

Firefighters say there were 3 ignitions points, indicating the fire was deliberately lit. 

Abermain Weston Hawks Count Cost Of Deliberately Lit Fire

BY IAN CROUCH

The Abermain Weston Hawks Rugby League club is counting the cost of Monday night's fire which destroyed their clubhouse.

As we reported yesterday, 5 wheelie bins were set alight under the eves of the building at Howe Park which quickly spread to the roof.

The Hawks lost everything in the blaze, with the damage bill estimated at $20,000.

It's a cruel blow for the club which has made the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League Grand Final.

Hunter Valley police are investigating the arson attack.

Meanwhile, if you can help, please contact Hawks coach Dean Peterkin by emailing dozzapeterkin1988@hotmail.com

The Abermain Weston Hawks Clubhouse Ablaze On Monday Night. Picture Facebook