Albany Police treating Vancouver Peninsula bushfire as suspicious as they launch public appeal for information

Albany Police are treating the serious bushfire near Camp Quaranup that forced the evacuation of 16 people on Monday as suspicious, with detectives appealing for public information into how the blaze started. The bushfire went to an emergency level warning and burnt more than 40ha in the Vancouver Peninsula after being reported about 1.49pm on Monday. Albany Detective Sen. Sgt Drew Reeder said police are appealing for any information, mobile phone footage, or witnesses. “Detectives are calling for all witnesses on the track, beach, or carpark near the entrance of Whalers Cove on the Vancouver Peninsula between 1pm and 3pm on Monday,” he said. “We would like to account for every person present when the fire occurred.” Det. Sen. Sgt Reeder said investigations had ruled out the cause of the fire being natural causes, leaving police to treat the blaze as suspicious. The fire was first reported at just after 1.30pm when the Department of Fire and Emergency Services received multiple triple-0 calls about a fire that had started near the access to Whalers Cove Beach. DFES placed the area under a watch and act warning before quickly upgrading it to an emergency warning as they evacuated people in the area. Nearly 50 firefighters and two water bombers worked to contain the blaze, using backburning as a way to protect Camp Quaranup and prevent it from spreading beyond the peninsula area. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au.