Suspect(s) arrested in deadly Australia fires

Suspect arrested in deadly Australia fires

www.google.com

Police arrested a suspect Friday in connection to one of the deadly wildfires in southern Australia that killed more than 180 people and left about 7,000 homeless.

Police did not release any details about the suspect, but a newspaper report said he was a 39-year-old man who would likely be charged with arson causing death in what police call the Churchill fire.

At least 21 people died in that fire, one of hundreds that swept across Victoria state on Feb. 7, destroying more than 1,800 homes. The official death toll is 181 and is expected to exceed 200.

Officials have vowed to pursue murder charges against alleged arsonists if the evidence supports it.

(visit the link for the full news article)


Related News Links:
www.theaustralian.news.com.au
news.xinhuanet.com

[edit on 13-2-2009 by violet]

No charges have been laid.

At last they may have caught one suspect, but other suspects remain and still lighting more fires?

How could anyone do this? He should receive the harshest of sentencing for this, along with the others, who I hope they catch soon, before more fires are lit and more innocent lives lost.

"Local reports said the suspect was a 39-year-old man from Churchill and he will be charged with arson causing death"


www.google.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

1. All his belongings and posessions should be burnt.
2. He should be sentanced to a life sentance for every life taken in the fire
3. He should spend 3 days a week from his sentance working in a burns ward at the local hospital. Either cleaning the floors, assisting the doctors or just watching and hearing their screams of pain

Or, they should just tattoo on his forhead '' i light the fire '' and let him loose in cronulla!

Is there any news on weather this guy is connected to these 'forest jihad' web postings??

If I am this guy, I am flipping on the other ones right now because there is going to be a s#@t storm of jail time coming. Maybe flipping on the other ones get me life instead of a death sentence. Death would be too good for any one who set these fires. I have a friend who's family lived in that area and they lost there home and everything. Toss the book at them and lock'em up and put them in population.

reply to post by violet


Unbeleivable that a fellow human being would cause this kind of catastrophe, I was hoping it was a natural occurance, I really hoped that a person would not be found responsible for what the people have gone through.

Unbelievable that someone really did start at least one of the fires. I had hoped that it really was naturally occurring and not deliberate. Any word on what the motive was?

There is no punishment that would bring justice for all those killed and injured. Even burning him bad and letting him suffer for life is not enough in my opinion.

I really hope the fires down there are brought under control soon.

And to top it off the guy is going to be up on pornagraphy charges aswell, the psychs will have a field day, i am so glad they caught someone allbeit alledgedly at the moment. These fires have changed everything from the way we react to fight a fire to the punishments that will be handed out. Last year i believe in the adelaide hills(harrowgate i believe) a mother was charged for lighting fires while her children were sitting in the car, no lives were lost and im positive she didnt get anywhere near the jail time this guy will recieve if found guilty.

reply to post by space cadet


I can't even begin to imagine the horror and pain these poor people endured burning to death, and to those who survived but scarred for life and suffering in pain from their burns. And to those who lost their loved ones or homes also suffering, nevermind the mental trauma.

I couldn't even bear to look at the pictures of the cars of those who tried to flee.

A new report is now saying they've arrested two suspects

Edit:Title has been modified due to multiple suspects and emerging details ...

Australian police arrest two arson suspects

Australian police have arrested two people suspected of starting one of the devastating bushfires in south-east Australia.

source

EDIT:
another source

[edit on 13-2-2009 by violet]

Hopefullly I have this right ... some news stories are conflicting

The story of the 39 yr old man being arrested and held still stands.

The reports of two men being arrested and taken in for questioning have been released.

Police on Thursday released two men who had been taken in for questioning after they were reported acting suspiciously in an area burned out by last weekend's fires.

"There were no offenses detected," said a statement from Victoria police.

Another suspect described as in his twenties, is being sought in another fire. A composite photo of him is shown. Visit the link for details.

photo of one suspect

The man in the composite photo, who police say is in his early 20s and has a dark complexion, is believed to have information about a suspicious fire at Ivanhoe East, in Melbourne's north-east.

EDIT:
To confirm, I checked the Police website:

Man charged over Churchill fire

Release date: Fri 13 February 2009

Last updated: Fri 13 February 2009

Police have charged an adult man over a fire lit at Churchill on 7 February.

The man was arrested and interviewed at the Morwell Police Station.

He was charged with arson causing death, intentionally or recklessly lighting a bush fire and possess child pornography.

The man faced the Morwell Magistrate’s Court this afternoon and has been remanded to the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court on 16 February.

Operation Phoenix will continue to investigate a number of fires.

Press are reminded that there is a suppression order in existence that prohibits "publication of the name/address of the defendant or any picture or image of the defendant which may enable him to be identified".

Victoria Police

Having a closer look through this site reveals one man stole funds donated to the bushfire victims:

"Police said a man smashed windows and got into the school and went through a number of offices before finding cash and cheques worth several thousand dollars that had been collected for bushfire victims"

[edit on 13-2-2009 by violet]