Police officer charged over WA bushfire

Police officer charged over WA bushfire

news.ninemsn.com.au

A West Australian police officer, whose use of an angle grinder allegedly ignited a bushfire which raged through the Perth hills district destroying 72 homes, has been charged.

The 56-year-old man who lives in the area, was charged by summons with carrying out an activity in the open air that causes or is likely to cause a bushfire.

The charges followed an investigation by the arson squad into allegations the Roleystone man's use of an angle grinder on a trailer set fire to grass and caused the blaze.

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"We have contacted all family members and friends and we are pretty confident we will get hold of him," Inspector Munnee said.

"I believe he is just shattered and devastated and he's probably just taking time out to reflect on a few things."

He said he didn't think the officer would "contemplate the worst".

"contemplate the worst"

Hindsight is a wonderful thing isn't it?

72 homes were destroyed by this guys recklessness.

If only he took a few moments to stop and think about what he was doing, hundreds of people wouldn't have had to be evacuated.



news.ninemsn.com.au
(visit the link for the full news article)

Accidents happen no matter who you are and i for one am not going to cast the first stone. If he is sincere in his remorse than there is no reason to punish him. I dont think that punishing him would help anything, only add the the damage done. He made a mistake so maybe he should take the liberty of personally helping those he has hurt as anything helps. Poor fellar.

reply to post by Chadwickus

Hindsight is a wonderful thing isn't it?

72 homes were destroyed by this guys recklessness.

If only he took a few moments to stop and think about what he was doing, hundreds of people wouldn't have had to be evacuated.

Yes and I am sure lots of others will agree with you while the REAL criminals continue to go free.

Who are the real criminals? The people who have MURDERED many through death by fire???

The idiots in government who listened to extremists and passed laws forbidding the clearing of flammables around their homes and towns!

We use an angle grinder all the time to sharpen the blades on our bush hog - OUT DOORS!

reply to post by Chadwickus


He was probably an alcoholic

reply to post by crimvelvet


There's no excuse, accidental or not, the guy messed up.

As for arsonists, well capital punishment comes to mind...

The guy messed up obviously. Buildings can be rebuilt. New belongings can be acquired to replace burnt up ones. He can work hard and pay for them. Putting him in jail will only mean that he cannot work to pay restitution to those he harmed.