– Royal National Park Firebugs Arrested

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Police have arrested two men in relation to a number of  bushfires at Waterfall. Update

Emergency crews had been called out yesterday afternoon to McKell Avenue in the Royal National Park after a number of bushfires had been spotted in the area. The seven fires found had spread quickly but fire brigade officers from the Rural Fire Services were able to extinguish most of them.

Investigations revealed the fires were set deliberately and Malcolm Smith a 43 year old Wooloomooloo man was arrested after being found near where the fires had started. After being questioned and searched at Sutherland Police Station he was formally charged with intentionally causing a fire and having an offensive implement. The man is being detained without bail and today will appear in Sutherland Local Court.

Another 34 year old man who was also at the scene was arrested by police for possible involvement. Police will question the man today after he completes a medical assessment.

The fires are under control but Rural Fire Services crews will spend the remainder of today putting them out. As a result there will be road blocks in and around Waterfall.

Update

Malcolm Smith appeared in Sutherland Local Court today and did not apply for bail. He had told police he had been living in the park for three weeks.

The court heard he was found to have three cigarette lighters and two bike pumps as well as recent newspaper clippings about the RFS fighting bushfires.

The magistrate ordered the accused to be dealt with under the Mental Health Act and have a psychiatric assessment.

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