LONE PINE FIRE: The quick response of police and Fire and Rescue NSW ensured the fire in Lone Pine Avenue opposite the cemetery didn’t spread any further. Photo: JEFF DEATH
POLICE charged a 17-year-old youth with using matches to start a fire in grassland off Lone Pine Avenue on Tuesday night.
Canobolas Local Area Command duty officer Dave Harvey said police and Fire and Rescue NSW were called to the blaze at around 8.30pm.
When they arrived the fire had already spread, burning grassland in the vacant lot in the middle of a residential area behind Bathurst Road.
Inspector Harvey said the quick action of firefighters and police prevented further fire damage.
“In these current weather conditions it’s extremely dangerous for any fires to be lit,” Inspector Harvey said. “This fire could have resulted in the loss of property and the loss of life.
“Police will fully investigate all fires and the consequences for anyone who is caught lighting those fires are severe.”
Police located the youth, an Orange resident, a short time later near the scene of the fire.
The youth was charged with lighting a fire when there’s a total fire ban.
He was released from Orange police station on Tuesday night on the proviso he adhere to a set of strict bail conditions.
He will appear in Orange Local Court in February.
