Bibra Lake grass goes up in smoke

by Coleen Tan

April 1, 2008

BIBRA LAKE residents say an alleged arson attack on Meares Park that occurred on March 30, was unsurprising given the length of grass in the reserve.

Kerryn Bailey, who lives two houses away from the park, in nearby Bramley Way, said she was “not surprised by the arson incident”.

“I’ve lived here for nearly eight years and I’ve hardly seen any burn offs,” Ms Bailey said, “so I think it’s just a matter of time that somebody would try and set fire to it.”

A 12-year-old Bibra Lake boy allegedly started the fire on Sunday around 3.30pm. He was with friends at the park, where police allege he set fire to a clump of dry grass after finding a lighter. The fire quickly roared out of control and could not be extinguished despite the efforts of the boy and one of his mates.

However, due to the quick action of attending firies, the blaze was brought under control.

Ms Bailey said there’d never been severe cases of arson before around the quiet neighbourhood.

“Kids do often play in there,” she added. “It’s just one of those things that you have to look out for.

“In summertime, anything that’s like a bushland park, it’s almost like an invitation.”

Another Bibra Lake resident, who wished to be unnamed, has lived in the area for five-and-a-half years.

“It’s a shame that the council can’t go in there and burn it off during winter and get rid of all that grass,” she said. “Then it wouldn’t be too bad because there wouldn’t be anything left for the fire.

“I’d be more surprised if it’s the doing of an adult, but I’m not surprised; it’s mainly just kids playing around and doing silly things.”