Firebugs on Police Radar

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police will be cracking down on firebugs ahead of what could be a potentially catastrophic fire season.

It's understood an arson watch list of high-risk offenders has been compiled by the Property Crime Squad's Arson Unit as a part of Strike Force Tronto and sent to local police commands.

The Telegraph reports officers will be making random house calls on 70 of the state's worst firebugs and putting them under covert surveillance. They'll use "proactive covert" spy techniques in a bid to catch arsonists redhanded.

It comes after retained Hunter firefighter Joshua Lambkin was charged over four fires near Kurri Kurri last month and amid Rural Fire Service investigations into the fire at Richmond Vale last week which they fear could have been deliberately lit.

Image MJF Productions

Alleged Kurri Kurri arsonist refused bail

BY JARROD MELMETH

Accused Kurri Kurri arsonist 26-year-old Craig Lambkin has been refused bail in Maitland Local Court today after telling police he threw a lit cigarette into nearby bushland during a total fire ban on Tuesday.

Mr Lambkin was arrested in his front yard following the incident on Tuesday and taken to Maitland police station where he was charged with intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread stemming from a blaze that burned behind the Kurri Kurri Aquatic Centre. 

Mr Lambkin was refused bail by Magistrate John Chicken until March. 

Photo source: The Maitland Mercury

Abermain Fire Deliberately Lit

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire authorities say a bushfire at Abermain which threatened dozens of homes and destroyed a truck appears to have been deliberately lit.

Fire crews have spent the night backburning in a bid to strengthen containment lines around the fire, which has burnt out around a thousand hectares and is currently burning in the vicinity of Hebburn Road.

Although the fire has been downgraded to the advice level, Greg Allen from the Rural Fire Service says residents need to remain vigilant ahead of another hot day today.

"High temperatures, strong winds of course are going to be of concern. Our firefighters will do all they can, but of course residents need to do all they can to assist firefighters as well by preparing their properties in case fire threatens by clearing gutters, removing items from around their properties which could burn, and having a bushfire survival plan made and discussed with families as well," he said.

Firefighter Battles Abermain Fire Picture: smh.com.au

A Truck Is Destroyed In The Blaze Picture: Cessnock Advertiser

Hunter Volunteer Firefighter Pleads Guilty to Deliberately Lighting Fires

BY GEORGIA LUPTON

A probationary member of the Rural Fire Service has pleaded guilty to a number of offences relating to deliberately lit fires around the Hunter.

21-year-old Alex Forth of Aberglasslyn faced court yesterday after being charged with four counts of intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread, and making false call to emergency service number.

The volunteer firefighter, a member of the Lochinvar brigade, lit fires within its patrol area including places such as Sawyers Gully, Lochinvar, Keinbah and Bishops Bridge.

The court heard the 21-year-old lit the fires using ammunition including molotov cocktails to be called out to fight the fires, curing his boredom.

It was heard other members of the brigade became suspicious of Forth due to a "significant spike" in the amount of fires shortly after he joined the brigade.

Suspicions grew further when Forth mentioned a fire before it was reported to other members and on another occasion, arrived at the fire station within minutes of the Rural Fire Service being notified of the fire.

The court heard on some occasions, the 21-year-old would even call emergency services to report fires he had lit.

He was arrested at the Lochinvar Fire Station on 28th of April this year.

The accused will be sentenced in Newcastle District Court next year.