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Bushfire arrests: all five have been 'young people', police chief says Bushfire arrests: all five have been young people, police chief says
(about 5 hours later)
All five arrests in relation to the New South Wales bushfires have been "young people", according to the police commissioner, Andrew Scipione.All five arrests in relation to the New South Wales bushfires have been "young people", according to the police commissioner, Andrew Scipione.
Speaking to the media on Monday evening, Scipione said the trend was "disturbing".Speaking to the media on Monday evening, Scipione said the trend was "disturbing".
"All of the arrests we have made with regards to arson attacks since this current crisis have been young people," he said."All of the arrests we have made with regards to arson attacks since this current crisis have been young people," he said.
"The message I continue to send to parents is this, 'Look after your children, understand where they are if you can, know who they're with, know what they're doing.' ""The message I continue to send to parents is this, 'Look after your children, understand where they are if you can, know who they're with, know what they're doing.' "
Two boys were arrested in relation to bushfires near Newcastle in the Hunter region.Two boys were arrested in relation to bushfires near Newcastle in the Hunter region.
An 11-year-old was arrested at a Raymond Terrace home on Monday morning in relation to two fires – one of which burned through more than 5000 hectares over several days, destroying eight outbuildings, damaging six houses and forcing the closure of Newcastle airport.An 11-year-old was arrested at a Raymond Terrace home on Monday morning in relation to two fires – one of which burned through more than 5000 hectares over several days, destroying eight outbuildings, damaging six houses and forcing the closure of Newcastle airport.
On Monday afternoon he was charged with two counts of intentionally causing fire and being reckless as to its spread, NSW police said.On Monday afternoon he was charged with two counts of intentionally causing fire and being reckless as to its spread, NSW police said.
On Sunday 13 October emergency services responded to reports of a grass fire at Raymond Terrace. Another fire began in bushland at Heatherbrae before spreading through the Williamtown, Campvale, Tomago and Medowie areas.On Sunday 13 October emergency services responded to reports of a grass fire at Raymond Terrace. Another fire began in bushland at Heatherbrae before spreading through the Williamtown, Campvale, Tomago and Medowie areas.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested on Monday afternoon, also in relation to the fire at Heatherbrae.A 15-year-old boy was arrested on Monday afternoon, also in relation to the fire at Heatherbrae.
Scipione said the 15-year old had not yet been charged "but certainly at this stage the intention is he will be before the courts as soon as we can get him there".Scipione said the 15-year old had not yet been charged "but certainly at this stage the intention is he will be before the courts as soon as we can get him there".
Port Stephens police determined that both fires had been deliberately lit.Port Stephens police determined that both fires had been deliberately lit.
The rural fire services commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, earlier on Monday confirmed that 58 bushfires continue to burn across the state and 14 of them remain uncontained.The rural fire services commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, earlier on Monday confirmed that 58 bushfires continue to burn across the state and 14 of them remain uncontained.
An emergency warning remains in place for a fire near Lithgow which has so far burnt more than 50,000 hectares. The Defence Department is investigating whether it was the cause of the fire after it began in the same valley where the army was carrying out explosive ordnance training last Wednesday.An emergency warning remains in place for a fire near Lithgow which has so far burnt more than 50,000 hectares. The Defence Department is investigating whether it was the cause of the fire after it began in the same valley where the army was carrying out explosive ordnance training last Wednesday.
More than 200 homes have been destroyed and there are fears that three fire fronts in the Blue Mountains will join together over coming days as hot and dry weather conditions worsen.More than 200 homes have been destroyed and there are fears that three fire fronts in the Blue Mountains will join together over coming days as hot and dry weather conditions worsen.
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