Teen firefighter is among dozens accused of igniting fires that have ravaged Australia

[Floyd R. Turbo]

A teenage volunteer firefighter is among two dozen people accused of lighting some of the historic fires that have raged across Australia since September.

This fire season, police have taken legal action — ranging from cautions to charges —against almost 200 people in New South Wales alone, police reported. That includes 24 people charged with deliberately lighting bushfires, 53 accused of failing to comply with the fire ban and 47 accused of discarding a lit cigarette or match.

The Rural Fire Service said Blake Banner, 19, has been charged in connection with seven fires in October and November in an area south of Sydney. Hundreds of fires have devastated an estimated 25,000 square miles of southeastern Australia. 

"Our members will be rightly angry that the alleged actions of one individual can tarnish the reputation and hard work of so many," New South Wales fire Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2020/01/07/australia-fires-people-charged-starting-wildfires-arson/2831063001/

[marble falls]

1. Shocking. The possibility just never occurred to me. Shocking.

[xmas74]

6. It occurred to me.

I used to be a fire dispatcher. Stories have always been around that most departments have had at least one firestarter during their history. Some like fires while others like the idea of being a hero when they put it out.

[MontanaMama]

2. This takes my breath away.

Sickening.

[getagrip_already]

3. right wing nut jobs have been arrested leaving CA fires.....

Apparently they thought it was funny for a lib state to burn. Nothing surprises me.

[SunSeeker]

4. There's a lot of sick people in this world. Scary how much damage they can do. nt

[TreasonousBastard]

5. Unfortunately, a not uncommon problem...

https://www.nvfc.org/firefighter-arson/

[xmas74]

7. I worked as a fire dispatcher.

Most departments have had one at one time or another. Either they're drawn to the job because they like fires or they start the fire with the idea of being a hero because they put it out.

Many are never caught.

[Baitball Blogger]

8. His life is over.

[Baclava]

9. Isn't it every arsonist's wet dream to join a fire dept? n/t