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Arson Investigation launched as bushfires Ravage New South Wales and Tasmania
A coordinated investigation involving arson squad and forensic officers is underway following devastating bushfires that destroyed 39 homes across New South Wales and Tasmania over the weekend. The fires, fueled by extreme heat and strong winds, have left communities reeling and authorities scrambling to determine the cause of the blazes.
Authorities are focusing on the Koolewong fire on the New South Wales Central Coast, which alone resulted in the loss of 16 homes. On Tuesday morning, crime scenes were established at multiple locations – Nimbin Avenue, Glenrock Parade, and john Street – as investigators began their work.
“We don’t want to speculate at this stage as to what the cause might be. There are many things that it may be,” stated a spokesperson for the Rural Fire Services (RFS) on ABC radio. Adding to the complexity of the investigation, a photograph obtained by the national broadcaster depicts an officer securing a red jerry can in a clear plastic evidence bag.
Though, investigations at the Koolewong active crime scenes have been temporarily suspended due to safety concerns, with structural engineers assessing the stability of affected properties. “Investigations are anticipated to recommence once the area has been declared safe by authorities,” a NSW police spokesperson confirmed. The NSW Police force, Fire and Rescue NSW, and NSW Rural Fire Service will maintain a presence in the affected areas “for the foreseeable future.” Central Coast council has declined to comment, citing the ongoing police investigation.
The devastation wasn’t limited to the Central Coast. Four homes were lost in a separate bushfire at Bulahdelah on the mid-north coast. Further south, in tasmania, 19 homes were destroyed in the Dolphin Sands area. The Tasmania Fire Service issued a “watch and act” advisory for dolphin Sands on Tuesday, urging residents to remain vigilant despite the immediate danger having subsided. Dolphin Sands Road reopened to the public Tuesday afternoon after being closed as Thursday’s initial outbreak.
Firefighters continue to battle a blaze south of Bulahdelah, which has consumed over 4,600 hectares of land within the Myall Lakes national park, between Crawford River and Nerong. The fire is currently at an “advice level,” and crews are focused on containing spot fires with the assistance of water-bombing helicopters.
Residents of Nerong described a tense Monday evening as the RFS urged readiness for potential evacuation. However, overnight back-burning operations proved successful in mitigating the immediate threat. “We had bins set out the front full of water, with buckets on them, because if we lost power, we had no way of protecting our homes,” recounted one resident, who arrived in town four days prior to prepare for the potential fire. “Fire and rescue were here all the way along the street [last night] and the brigades were all through the bush.”
The RFS is now advising communities at Bombah Point Road, Crawford River, and the Branch to closely monitor conditions as hot and dry weather is forecast to persist.
the impact of the fires extended beyond property damage, with bushfire smoke significantly impacting air quality. On Tuesday morning, air quality in the
