POLICE CHARGED a man yesterday over one of the deadly south Australia bushfires, moving him to a secret location amid fears of a vigilante attack.
The 39-year-old allegedly started the Churchill-Jeeralang bush fire in the LaTrobe valley region of Gippsland, southeast Victoria, in which at least 21 people perished. The man is a local resident and there are serious concerns for his safety and that of his family.
He was charged with one count of arson causing death, which carries a maximum 25-year jail term, and one count of intentionally starting a fire, which carries a 15-year term. He was also charged with possessing child pornography.
Earlier this week, the prime minister, Kevin Rudd, branded those responsible for the bushfires as “mass murderers”, while Robert McClelland, the attorney general, vowed to pursue murder charges. The suspect did not attend court and was remanded to appear before Melbourne magistrates on Monday. “The accused is in a fragile mental state,” his lawyer said.
The arrest comes as Christine Nixon, the state police commissioner, expressed concern about copycat arsonists. Dannye Moloney, the Victoria police assistant commissioner, appealed for calm in the community.
The bush fire at the centre of the case involving the accused, is still out of control and was one of hundreds that swept across Victoria last weekend killing at least 181 people.