Overview
- Two 11-year-old boys were referred to the Juvenile Justice Team under section 444A for breaching duty of care when lighting fires.
- Investigators identified four boys in total, with two children deemed too young to be charged and subsequently released.
- The blaze began in Spalding on November 28 and reignited on Sunday and Monday as easterly gusts up to 80 km/h drove dangerous conditions.
- One home was destroyed and others left uninhabitable or damaged as residents evacuated, schools closed, and thousands lost power.
- Local fundraisers have gathered more than $22,000 as the community thanks DFES crews and volunteers and authorities urge preparedness for the summer fire season.