The Deadly Faces of Arson (Warning Contains Graphic Content)

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“I didn’t mean it” – Brendan James Sokaluk – The former CFA volunteer was found guilty of deliberately lighting a fire that killed 10 people during the Black Saturday fires of 2009.

The cars of two victims from the Churchill fire that Sokaluk deliberately lit. “We are without our much-loved family, and we still have a grandson without a mother, father or brother” – Victims’ relative Rhonda Jacobs.

Robert Paul Long was responsible for killing 15 people in Childers, QLD. The victims were mostly foreign backpackers staying in the Palace Backpackers Hostel while they were fruitpicking on local farms.

“I’m dying … I started the fire” – After being shot 3 times by police, Long confessed to his crime. He would live to face court and the distraught families of his victims.

Roger Kingsley Dean was a nurse at the Quakers Hill Nursing Home when he deliberately set it on fire, killing 11 elderly residents.

Armed with a cigarette lighter, Dean set fire to numerous beds – some of which were occupied by the elderly. Dean was allegedly in a state of panic to cover up his theft of hundreds of painkiller tablets. He is NSW’s worst mass murderer.

In America, mass murderers use guns, in Australia, mass murderers use fire.

That’s the shocking reality of our current situation in Australia. Too often we hear on the news about the struggles with gun crimes in the U.S. and although it is absolutely tragic what is happening over there, when are we going to realise that this sort of thing is happening on our own shores. Arsonists are murdering Australians with a very powerful weapon – fire.

The 2009 Black Saturday bushfires killed 173 innocent Australians in the worst bushfire in Australia’s history. There were a number of blazes burning that day and the days leading up to the event, with police believing arson may have been the cause of ignition in a few of the fires. Then Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, declared the event as “mass murder” and the state of Victoria as a giant crime scene. Only one arsonist was found and convicted of murder in relation to the fires of 2009 and that was simply because his car broke down a short distance away from where he lit the fires. The rest will never be found, their criminal actions covered up by the same inferno that claimed 173 lives, hundreds of homes, and thousands of livelihoods.

Unfortunately these weren’t the last fires to be deliberately lit by arsonists, nor were they the first. The nature of the crime and the nature of Australia’s unique environment, means that arsonists are very elusive and difficult to track down. That’s why authorities are constantly urging communities to keep their eye out for suspicious persons in bushfire prone areas, because the more people we have committed to this cause – the less Australians will be affected by arson in the future. Get involved, and find out how you can spot an arsonist here.

Don’t be an arsonist’s wet dream

With temperatures soaring across the country this week – the bushfire season has officially begun and already police have attended to dozens of sites where bushfires have been lit deliberately, further investigating even more. Alarmingly, these figures will only increase as the Summer continues, and emergency services will not be able to cope with every situation. This is why it’s so important for all of us, no matter where you live, to help our emergency volunteers as much as possible – to help our rural communities tackle arson and the devastating impact it has on our lives.

Australians love a holiday, and chances are most of us will enjoy the tranquility of the bush sometime this holiday season. Whether it be in our secluded campground, or New Years drinks at a friends coast house, it’s so important for all of us to be aware of our actions and the actions of those around us. If you see something, please say something. If someone is acting suspiciously in the area, please contact emergency services. If you can, try and note the description of the individual, focusing on their age, gender, height, build, hair colour and other distinguishing features. Also make note of any vehicles nearby and their registration, make, model, colour and any damage to the vehicle. This information could be crucial in an investigation into the fire. Also, if you see a fire burning in the area, don’t hesitate, contact fire authorities as soon as possible – every second counts.

Respect the conditions! A total fire ban means that absolutely no fire should be lit under any circumstance. By ignoring the ban, not only could you start a catastrophic bushfire endangering Australian lives, but it could also land you a fine of at least $25,000 and 12 months jail time – a large price to pay for some roast marshmallows. Even if there is no fire ban in the area, respect the conditions of the day – if it’s windy, hot and dry, don’t light a fire unless absolutely necessary (when you’re trying to make a smoke signal to be rescued from your deserted island). And use your common sense – make sure there are no overhanging trees above or nearby and that your fire is contained at all times.

Don’t be the 50%. This summer is going to be a doozy. So have fun, but be careful – our volunteers deserve as much free time as they can get. Always be aware, because an unaware person is an arsonist’s wet dream.