Two teens charged over deliberately lighting Queensland fire
Two teenagers have been charged over allegedly lighting a fire that destroyed bushland and forced hundreds of people to evacuate their homes.
Queensland Police alleged the teens, aged 14 and 15, were in bushland near Koel Circuit in the Peregian area on Monday about 4.30pm when a fire was deliberately lit.
The fire then spread southeast towards Peregian Beach and tore through bushland before threatening housing and destroying one home.
Emergency Services battled the blaze for three days and were forced to evacuate residents from a number of neighbouring suburbs, police said.
Several spot fires have continued to burn in the area and residents were on Wednesday allowed to return home.
Ongoing investigations have led to a 14-year-old Peregian Springs boy and a 15-year-old Coolum Beach girl being charged with endangering particular property by fire.
Investigations are continuing.
Police have also reminded the public of the dangers of lighting fires or committing acts of arson as Queensland continues to experience extreme and dangerous fire conditions.
Throngs of displaced locals cheered when they were told it was safe for them to return to their Peregian Beach, Peregian Breeze, Weyba Downs, Marcus Beach and Castaways Beach homes on Wednesday.
Noosa deputy mayor Frank Wilkie took no chances when he saw a glowing red sky and hot embers raining down on the roof of his family's home.
"I said 'We're getting out of here''", he recalled to local reporters after returning to find it still standing on Wednesday.
Ash was spread through parts of his home, the back fence was gone and some trees had been burnt.
The front yards of other houses on his street had been blackened by fire or damaged by smoke, one home was gone, but no one had lost their life.
"I think people will take more seriously the warnings to have a fire survival bag ready to grab at a moment's notice and go," he said.
The community is angry at the teens who allegedly caused the blaze.
"I don't think they want them thrown into jail," Mr Wilkie said.
"I think they want them to fully understand the consequences of what they've done, and work alongside and meet the people who have been affected.
"Give them an opportunity to make amends for what they've done ... and so that we don't lose them, if they're thrown into the juvenile justice system."
Lynette and Mike Rogusky say the evacuation centre where they slept for two nights was overwhelmed by volunteers and offers of homes where people could stay.
They are grateful to those who made them feel comfortable and relieved to find nothing had changed when they got home.
"Everything is fine, just how we left it," she said.
The region received some brief showers overnight but not enough to extinguish the fire.
Forecasts show cooler temperatures and lighter winds on Thursday, however the danger will spike again on Friday and Saturday when temps rise again.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
