By Tanya Steele
Police have charged a man following reports of two fires in Wantirna South bushland last night.
Monday 14 April saw the CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria crew stamp out a grass and scrub fire allegedly started by a 32 year old man.
With the fire danger period still in place for Knox, emergency services quickly responded to two grass fires in the area of Pumps Lane and Axford Road in Wantirna South.
A CFA spokesperson said CFA responded to reports of a grass and scrub fire at around 8:37pm.
“Eight CFA units from multiple local brigades attended the scene alongside FRV and Victoria Police,” they said.
CFA Crews arrived to an active grass and scrub fire and got to work straight away suppressing the blaze.
Police responded quickly to the emergency and on their arrival to the scene officers allegedly caught sight of a man trying to put one of the fires out with his shirt.
It was reported by police media that an attempt was made to arrest the man, who allegedly refused to follow police directions, resulting in two officers sustaining minor injuries.
“A 32-year-old man of no fixed abode was charged with light bushfire during a fire danger period,” said a spokesperson from police media.
At the same time, CFA and FRV continued to suppress the blaze.
“The incident was deemed under control at 9:33 pm,” said the CFA spokesperson.
The Fire Investigation Unit was called in to investigate the cause of the fire and investigators at the sight of the incident have alleged that one of the fires was more than 100 square meters in size.
The man arrested was then remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later on 15 April.
The Fire Danger Period (FDP) is a designated time in each Victorian municipality when fire restrictions apply due to increased fire risk.
During this period, a written permit is required to burn off for farming practices, including grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation.
