Teens charged with starting bushfires
Three teenagers have been charged with deliberately starting a bushfire that threatened properties in Sydney’s northwest.
Police will allege the boys, two of whom were aged 14 and one 16, intentionally lit fires in and around The Ponds bushland between October and November this year.
One particularly large fire began in Peel Reserve on October 29, with emergency services called to the area at about 7pm.
A subsequent investigation into the blaze, which was extinguished by firefighters before it could damage nearby properties, was launched.
Police have now confirmed that three teens were arrested at about 11am on Friday and were taken to Riverstone Police Station.
The boys were all charged with intentionally causing a fire and being reckless to its spreading, as well as shoplifting.
The 16-year-old was also charged with possessing an unauthorised pistol.
They were all granted strict conditional bail to appear before a children’s court on Tuesday November 28.
Investigations into the fires are ongoing.