Police Launch Public Appeal for Information on Boya Bushfire Arsonist
Western Australian authorities are intensifying their investigation into a suspicious bushfire that ravaged approximately 30 hectares of land in the Boya area on Friday afternoon. Police have issued a direct appeal to the public, seeking crucial information that could identify and convict the individual responsible for this deliberate act of arson.
Fire Ignites in Mt Helena Valley, Threatening Local Community
The blaze erupted in the vicinity of Victor Road and Clayton Road in Boya, with emergency services receiving the first reports around 2pm. Strike Force Vulcan officers, working in close collaboration with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), swiftly responded to the incident. Firefighters battled the flames aggressively, managing to bring the fire under control before it could escalate further.
Authorities have confirmed that the quick response prevented the fire from spreading to nearby residential properties or commercial businesses, averting a potentially catastrophic outcome for the local community. The fire was fully extinguished, but not before it had scorched a significant area of native vegetation.
Investigation Focuses on Deliberate Ignition, Rewards Offered
While the official cause remains undetermined at this stage, investigators are treating the blaze as suspicious and likely deliberately lit. Police are particularly keen to obtain any visual evidence from the area during the time of the fire. This includes CCTV footage from homes or businesses, mobile phone recordings, or dash-cam video captured by motorists travelling through Boya or the surrounding Mt Helena Valley on Friday afternoon.
To incentivise public cooperation, rewards of up to $25,000 are available for information that directly leads to the identification, arrest, and subsequent conviction of the arsonist. This substantial sum underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating this incident.
How the Public Can Assist the Bushfire Arson Probe
Investigators are urging anyone who may have witnessed unusual or suspicious activity in the Boya area prior to or during the fire to make contact immediately. This appeal extends to residents, workers, and visitors who might have seen something out of the ordinary.
Information can be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers. The community is encouraged to come forward with any detail, no matter how small it may seem, as it could prove vital to the investigation. The goal is to hold the perpetrator accountable and prevent similar dangerous incidents in the future.
