Perth Hills Teenager to Enter Plea in March Over Alleged New Year's Day Fireworks Blaze
The 19-year-old man accused of sparking a significant bushfire in the Perth Hills moments after midnight on New Year's Day is expected to enter a plea at his next court appearance scheduled for early March.
Court Appearance and Charges
Luke Joseph Grguric appeared before the Armadale Magistrates Court on Thursday, facing a single charge of failing to ensure an ignition source did not start a fire. The second-year apprentice boilermaker spoke only to confirm his identity during the brief hearing.
Supported by his parents and represented by privately-retained lawyer William Cusack, Grguric had his bail conditions extended and declined to comment to waiting media outside the courthouse. His case has been adjourned until March 4 when he is anticipated to formally enter a plea.
Alleged Incident Details
Western Australia Police allege that at approximately 12:20 am on January 1, Grguric threw a firecracker into dry grass within bushland on Temby Avenue in Kalamunda, located near his residence. According to police prosecutor Sergeant Rob Clements, the young man immediately realized the severity of the situation when a bushfire erupted.
"To his horror, a bushfire erupted, and he called triple zero before attempting to stomp out the flames," Sergeant Clements stated during the initial court appearance. "He then ran to the nearest house to raise the alarm." Grguric spent the night in custody following the incident before his first court hearing.
Impact and Emergency Response
The resulting blaze prompted an extensive emergency response involving approximately 150 firefighters, including aerial support from a water bomber aircraft. The fire forced thousands of local residents to evacuate their homes amid terrifying conditions.
Police reported that the fire had already consumed more than 25 hectares of native bushland within eight hours of ignition. "More than two thousand homes in the area lost power and homes and lives were threatened," authorities confirmed in an official statement.
Electrical power was not fully restored to affected properties until 10:00 am on the day of the fire, significantly disrupting the community during the New Year period.
Bail Conditions and Next Steps
As part of his current bail arrangement, Grguric must adhere to specific conditions including:
- A night-time curfew restricting his movements during evening hours
- Mandatory reporting to police at Forrestfield station three times weekly
The case continues to develop as the community assesses the environmental damage and authorities complete their investigation. All parties will return to the Armadale Magistrates Court on March 4 for the next phase of legal proceedings.
