Man charged over Blue Mountains bushfire
A man has been charged with deliberately lighting a large bushfire in his own Blue Mountains community, west of Sydney.
Police arrested the 34-year-old near his Katoomba home at 8.30am (AEDT) on Thursday over a blaze that spread through Katoomba and Leura on October 24.
The fire damaged several homes and forced the evacuation of about 450 students from Katoomba High School.
It destroyed 19 hectares of bush and took firefighters about 24 hours to contain.
Police will allege the man made a triple zero call from a payphone after the fire was started.
Detectives charged the man late on Thursday night with intentionally causing a fire and being reckless as to its spread.
He was also charged with larceny, disposing of stolen goods, and breaking and entering. He was refused bail to face Penrith Local Court on Friday.
The other charges came about when police, who were investigating the bushfire, uncovered evidence relating to an alleged theft syndicate involving a number of NSW stores and properties.
Police will allege several people were involved in stealing numerous items from stores and properties in Sydney and regional locations before on-selling the goods to others via social media.
Search warrants were executed on Thursday at Katoomba, Bathurst, St Marys, Doonside and Ashcroft with police seizing numerous items, including hardware, clothing and home appliances.
Additionally, police seized a rifle from the Katoomba address and a pistol, air rifle, handcuffs and other weapons in St Marys. Inquiries into the ownership of these weapons are continuing.
Police are also continuing their investigations into the theft syndicate and expect to make more arrests.
Meanwhile, Strike Force Tronto remains activated while the bushfire season continues.
The strike force was reactivated in September 2011 to lead the response to suspicious or deliberately lit bushfires that result in death, serious injury and/or significant property loss.
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