Police and Fire and Rescue investigators have been continuing with investigations in relation to a large grass fire that occurred on Friday in the Howard Springs/Coolalinga area.

It is believed that three separate grass fires started at approximately 11:00 am on Friday (10 July) and converged to form one large fire on Edelstein Road, which initially threatened a nearby business and houses near the Stuart Highway.

Police, Fire and Rescue, rural volunteers and Bushfire Council members attended and extinguished the blaze.

Several witnesses have since been spoken to and the following description was obtained of someone police believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.

He is described to be a Caucasian male with short brown hair. At the time he was wearing a fluoro yellow tradesman shirt and was driving a white utility 4x4 that had a role bar at the rear of the cab.

It is alleged that this male was witnessed acting suspiciously on a property on Edelstein Road at the approximate time the fire started.

Superintendent Matt Hollamby urges anyone with information to come forward.

"We believe the fire to be suspicious and the fact that someone could commit such a callous act, putting property, homes and even lives at risk is quite disturbing.

"The quick response of the emergency services was due, in part, to the vigilant members of the community that reported it to police.

"If this is a result of a fire bug then they clearly have no regard for human life or safety and we will be doing everything within our powers to bring the person to justice.

"I urge anyone that may have witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the area, or who may have information in relation to this event, to contact them on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000" he said.





Media contact:
Amy Sloan
8922 3365