Newcastle Detectives Intensify Hunt for Gym Fire Starters
Newcastle police have escalated their investigation into a series of suspicious fires at a local gym, releasing further CCTV footage in a bid to identify potential suspects. Detectives are urgently seeking to speak with two men captured on camera, as well as the driver of a silver Toyota hatchback seen in the area around the time of the incidents.
Details of the Suspicious Fires
The investigation centres on two fires that occurred at the Air Locker gym on Albert Street in Wickham. The first incident took place earlier in the week, with a second, more severe fire erupting on Friday, January 23. Police were called to the scene just after midnight following reports of smoke billowing from the building.
Firefighters arrived promptly and discovered the ground floor ablaze. Approximately 30 firefighters worked tirelessly for over an hour to contain and extinguish the flames. While the fire was fully under control within two hours, the ground floor sustained significant smoke and water damage.
New CCTV Evidence Released
On Wednesday, February 4, authorities released a 12-second clip showing a silver Toyota hatchback driving in the vicinity around the time of the fire. An accompanying image of the vehicle was also provided to the public. Police have emphasised their desire to speak with the driver of this car as part of their ongoing inquiries.
In earlier releases, two men of medium height and build were captured on CCTV. Both individuals were wearing long pants and hooded jumpers, and were seen in the area around the time of the second fire. The investigation is being conducted under Strike Force Halesworth, with detectives working to determine if the two fires are linked.
Appeal for Public Assistance
Newcastle detectives are urging anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward. This includes individuals who may recognise the vehicle or its occupants, or who have any knowledge about the fires. Authorities have stressed the importance of community cooperation in solving this case.
Members of the public are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 with any relevant information. All tips can be provided anonymously, and any detail, no matter how small, could prove crucial to the investigation.
The release of additional CCTV footage underscores the seriousness with which police are treating these incidents, as they continue to hunt for those responsible for the suspicious fires at the Wickham gym.
