Strike Force Vulcan investigators have charged a 39-year-old man as a result of their extensive investigation into a deliberate bushfire in Bold Park, City Beach on Sunday, 22 October 2023.
About 9.10pm, the accused set fire to vegetation along the Banksia Walk trail situated near the centre of Bold Park. Bold Park is a 442 hectare nature reserve supporting a biodiversity of 310 species of native local plants, 86 bird species and 28 reptile species.
At the time of the fire a wedding reception was taking place in the nearby Quarry Amphitheatre and all the guests were evacuated from the area by emergency services.
The fire burnt approximately 13 hectares of the reserve and required a multi-agency response involving, WA Police officers, including specialist Strike Force Vulcan officers, and personnel from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, and Kings Park and Botanical Parks Authority to manage.
On 17 January 2024, a 39-year-old man who is currently in prison, was charged with:
• One count of Wilfully light or cause to be lit a fire likely to injure or damage.
He is due to appear before the Perth Magistrates Court on 15 February 2024.
