UPDATE:
Swan Hill Police arrested 18-year-old man yesterday and charged him with one count of criminal damage by fire.
He was released pending a diversion.
EARLIER:
Two fires on a property in Swan Hill are being treated as suspicious, police have confirmed.
Emergency crews rushed to the Yana Street property, behind Ken Harrison Reserve, at about 8.15pm on Tuesday and were called to the scene again on Thursday at 8am.
The fires were brought under control on both occasions and a Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed that both fires were suspicious.
“Swan Hill Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating,” they said.
“Fire crews attended and extinguished the flames which were contained to the grass paddock.
“Police are investigating whether the fire yesterday is linked to a blaze that occurred nearby on Tuesday night.
“The CFA is investigating the cause of the blaze.”
CFA District 18 operations manager John Bigham said the Swan Hill Fire Brigade and nearby brigades from the district attended both fires.
“Investigations have led us to believe that the fires were deliberately lit,” Mr Bigham said.
“Police are currently investigating the cause and seeking information from the public.
“If anyone saw anything out of the ordinary in the area around the time the fires were started, I urge them to contact Swan Hill police (5036 1600).”
To read more about this story, grab a copy of Friday’s Guardian (February 10).
