Motorbike Rider Sought in Suspicious Bushfire Probe
Authorities on the New South Wales South Coast are urgently seeking a motorbike rider for questioning following a suspicious bushfire that ignited in the Wandandian Creek picnic area near Sussex Inlet. The incident occurred on Saturday, November 8, in an area experiencing high fire danger conditions.
Fire Contained, Investigation Launched
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene in dense bushland on the outskirts of Basin View at 11am. They successfully extinguished the blaze, and fortunately, no injuries were reported. At the time of the fire, the nearby Jervis Bay area recorded temperatures of 24 degrees with wind gusts reaching 22km/h, creating potentially dangerous conditions.
A spokesperson for NSW Police confirmed that officers from the South Coast Police District are investigating the circumstances and are treating the fire as suspicious. The investigation moved quickly, with police releasing images of a person of interest on Saturday evening in the hope the public can assist.
Description of the Person of Interest
The individual police wish to speak to is described as a Caucasian man, standing between 185-190 centimetres tall, with a medium build and short, dark hair. He was seen wearing a black T-shirt, tracksuit pants, and brown boots.
Most notably, he was seen riding a blue Yamaha dirt bike in the Basin View area around 11.30am. He was wearing a black motorbike helmet and distinctive fluorescent yellow goggles.
As the investigation continues, police are appealing to the public for help. Anyone with information that could assist investigators is strongly encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
