While the busiest Rural Fire Service brigade in the Shoalhaven works to burn off bushland before what’s tipped to be a dangerous bushfire season, arsonists have drawn them away to a series of deliberately-lit fires at Sanctuary Point.
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St Georges Basin RFS firefighters have hosed down five fires at the skate park in a fortnight.
“Last time the kids lit a tyre and threw it on top of a building,” RFS district officer Brad Collins said.
“Recently, a blaze extended out into the bush area and a number of crews had to be called out.
“They seem to be lighting up rubbish in the wheelie bins, stealing milk crates from the shopping centre across the road and lighting them up at the skate park.”
Sanctuary Point residents are sick of living in constant danger, and the firefighters’ patience has worn thin.
“Things are drying out, when it ran into the bush it didn’t take long to kick off,” he said.
“They’re putting everyone at risk, the residents have had enough, it needs to stop.”
There was a brief reprieve a month ago, when police caught arsonists who had lit a fire at Sanctuary Point, recorded it, and posted it online.
Police identified arsonists from the brazen Instagram video and cautioned the kids, but due to their age, the kids were not charged.
A fortnight ago, the problem ignited again and community members have called for the closure of the skate park.
Despite the nuisance calls, Mr Collins does not want all kids to be punished for the actions of some.
“If that was to happen it would be unfortunate for the majority of people that use the park,” he said.
To prevent fires in future, the RFS plans to connect with Sanctuary Point Public School students and run a fire education program.
“We’ll just go and talk to the kids there and give them a bit of an idea of how quickly things can escalate,” Mr Collins said.
