More than 10 fires have been started in and around the Berwick area since the start of the year.By Callan Date
A SERIAL arsonist is on the loose in Berwick with more than 10 fires lit in the past two months.
The firebug has left behind a trail of destruction, with a $20,000 marquee at The Old Cheese Factory completely destroyed on 10 February.
The marquee fire is just one of the many incidents to which Country Fire Authority (CFA) crews and local police have responded.
At least 11 wheelie bins have also been torched in and around the Berwick area since the start of the year.
Police have expressed their profound concern over the fires and the possibility the arsonist may seek a bigger thrill by starting larger blazes.
Berwick streets which have been targeted include Cheviot Avenue, Marlesford Crescent, Mansfield Street, Michelle Drive and Edrington Park Drive.
A bin outside a Mariner Close property in Cranbourne North was also burnt.
Most fires have been started between the hours of 11pm and 3am.
Casey CIU Detective Sergeant Garry Kear said police suspected the same offenders were responsible for all the fires.
“It appears that youths have on each occasion lit contents of household wheelie bins utilising the contents of the bin or accelerants in their possession,” Det Sgt Kear said.
He said graffiti tags, including HSR, HSRP and Blood, had been scrawled in the vicinity of the fires.
Det Sgt Kear said the blaze at The Old Cheese Factory was particularly worrying.
“Offenders have caused irreparable damage to a marquee set up on the site and plastic furniture housed inside it,” he said.
“The marquee had been burnt in a number of locations and the furnishings were also set alight.”
Det Sgt Kear has called on local residents, schools and businesses to help identify the culprits.
“Police seek any possible relevant information from the public and persons can remain anonymous should they so desire,” he said.
“Police are treating these offences extremely seriously due to their reckless nature.”
Anyone with any information about the fires is asked to contact Det Sgt Kear on 9705 3114 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
