A SERIES of deliberately lit fires at the Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve are being investigated by police.
Investigators believe that the first fire was ignited at the Frankston North nature reserve at around 3.45pm, 24 November. A police spokesperson said on 10 December that “the fire was started in the long grass in the north-west corner of the reserve, just south of Ballarto Road and alongside the Peninsula Link noise barrier.”
A second blaze was ignited at around 7.30am on 7 December on an embankment of the water catchment area west of the Orchard Track. As that fire was being put out, another fire was spotted nearby.
A police spokesperson said “as the CFA was extinguishing the fire, they observed another blaze about 200 metres away in scrubland adjacent to the Peninsula Link walking track.”
“After putting out both fires and heading back to base, the CFA crew observed another fire along the Peninsula Link track.
“All the fires were quickly brought under control and put out by CFA teams.”
Investigators are hoping to speak to any witnesses or anyone who noticed suspicious behaviour around the time of the fires.
Anyone who has any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
First published in the Frankston Times – 23 December 2019