Trainee firefighter charged with firelighting

A volunteer firefighter has been charged in relation to three fires at Bunbury Forum Shopping Centre at the weekend.

The three fires caused nearly $3000 worth of damage to bins, crates and a wall near Eagles Boys Pizza and Sandridge Village Fish and Chips when they were lit on Saturday and Sunday nights.

The three fires were extinguished by Bunbury Fire and Emergency firefighters.

An 18-year-old volunteer firefighter from Withers appeared in Bunbury Magistrate’s Court yesterday charged with three counts of failing to reasonably ensure a fire or ignition source would not cause a fire that could not be controlled.

Police allege the fires were deliberately lit to elicit an emergency response.

South West Detectives Det-Sen. Const. Gareth Reed said the charges could carry a 15-year prison sentence.

Magistrate Joe Mignacca-Randazzo released the 18-year-old man on bail on the condition he did not participate in any volunteer fire and rescue work.

He will appear in court next month.

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