Albany fires: Three blazes that started within a few hours of each other under investigation by detectives

Albany detectives are investigating multiple fires that started in Albany on Tuesday, one which sparked a bushfire advice for parts of Gledhow and Robinson and took several hours to extinguish. A blaze that started on a vacant block on Tuesday night in Spencer Park came dangerously close to homes and is now the subject of a police investigation after two people were observed in the area at the time of the fire. Fires also burnt in Cuthbert and Robinson on Tuesday, with a bushfire advice out for several hours due to heavy smoke in the area. All three are being investigated by Albany detectives. “We are investigating multiple fires that occurred on January 3,” Albany Detective Senior Sergeant Darryl Noye said. “There were a series of fires that bushfire brigades attended between the railway line and Lower Denmark Road in the vicinity of Robinson Road, Old Elleker Road and Knights Road. “These occurred between 2.15pm and 11.35pm on January 3. “We are also investigating the fire in Spencer Park at about 8.13pm on January 3. “Detectives are reviewing CCTV footage from the area and we can say that two people were observed in the area at the time of the fire.” About 8.13pm on January 3 firefighters were called to a grass fire on the vacant block between Hardie Road and Pretious Street alongside the Spencer Park shopping centre. The fire came within metres of the homes of elderly residents in the area and four fire crews eventually extinguished the blaze by 9pm. A local resident who lives in the retirement units that came under threat, said the fire came close to the back fence of properties and burnt dry grass that would normally be mowed before the start of summer. That came after earlier in the day water bombers and 12 appliances attended a serious fire that started on Old Elleker Road in Cuthbert at 2.11pm. Crews from Albany Fire and Rescue Service along with volunteer brigades from South Coast, Highway, King River and Elleker battled the blaze. Two water bombers were also sent out as an advice warning was issued by Department of Fire and Emergency Services for people bounded by Harewood Road to the north, Roundhay Street to the east, Robinson Road to the south and George Street to the west. Firefighters got the blaze under control and it was extinguished by 12.37am on Wednesday and the incident was handed over to police. A third fire was reported late on Tuesday night, not far from the bushfire in Cuthbert. Firefighters attended a blaze that started near Lower Denmark Road in Robinson about 11.16pm. Appliances from Albany FRS and volunteer brigades from South Coast and Highway attended and it was extinguished by 12.45am on Wednesday. Despite a flare up in the early hours of the morning, the fire was again controlled and contained by 7.20am and the incident was also handed over to police. Det Sen Sgt Noye called for anyone with information on these fires to contact police. “We are appealing for witnesses or information regarding these fires,” he said. “We are not saying they are suspicious but investigating how these fires have started.” Police have urged anyone with any information relating to these fires to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online.