A 26-year-old man in Western Australia has been charged after allegedly intentionally lighting a scrub fire on Christmas Day.
Police allege the man set fire to several areas of dry grass and foliage in a reserve at Templetonia Promenade in Halls Head, a suburb of Mandurah, about 10pm on Wednesday.
Fire crews were able to extinguish the flames before they were able to spread to surrounding private properties.
About 50 square metres of scrubland was destroyed in the blaze, according to police.
A 26-year-old man from Heathridge was arrested and charged with wilfully lighting or causing a fire that is likely to cause injury or damage.
He is due to appear before Mandurah Magistrates Court today.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment.
Police said the timely reporting of information from the public was vital in its investigation.
Rewards of up to $25,000 are offered for information that helps identify and convicts accused arsonists.
