Fremantle Boat Fires Deliberately Lit
Nic Ellis/The West Australian ©
A blaze which gutted several luxury boats in Fremantle this morning was deliberately lit.
Firefighters, Fremantle Port Authority staff and water police were called to Freedom Marine on Mews Road shortly before 4am and battled for more than hour to contain the fire.
Four vessels in dry dock were destroyed and another was badly damaged. Damage has been estimated at more than $1 million.
Two of the boats are privately owned while the other two are owned by Freedom Marine.
Arson investigator Det-Sen. Const. Aaron Capes told thewest.com.au it appeared fires were started on two separate boats in the Freedom Marine yard.
Another police spokeswoman said a caretaker raised the alarm when he was woken by a "crackling sound" and went out to discover several boats alight.
An arson investigator earlier told thewest.com.au there was no evidence of forced entry.
Det-Sen. Const. Capes said that while the front of the Freedom Marine was well secured the back of the property is easily accessible because of the open harbour. He said it appeared the arsonists targeted the boat year because it was an easy target.
Pollutions Response Unit manager Dr Jimmy Seow said officers had been monitoring the area for toxins.
Dr Seow said he was particularly concerned about a downwind which was blowing smoke from the scene towards Fremantle Hospital, but he said so far there was no evidence of any toxins from the fire.
Boat yard contractor Kevin Hart said the boats were a combination of new and used and were all for sale.
Arson investigators remain at the scene. Anyone who saw anything unusual in the area during the early hours of this morning should contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
How sad for those people
I hope they catch the mongrels who did it.
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Highlander
Posts: 151
Date Joined: 02/07/09
very true Colin, you have to
very true Colin, you have to ask why, all these arson attacks around the city just now, car yards and now boats, whats wrong with these toerags.??
Jim.
fishing, that used to be free!!!!
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18085
Date Joined: 11/03/08
gotta feel for the boat
gotta feel for the boat owners . too many arson attacks going on lately someone is out there having fun at someone elses expence and probably just sitting back and watching the action. mongrels
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
saltatrix
Posts: 1081
Date Joined: 30/03/08
very true Colin, you have to
very true Colin, you have to ask why, all these arson attacks around the city just now, car yards and now boats, whats wrong with these toerags.??
I feel for those pensioners. Thats a low cowardice act on such vulnerable people. Obviously penalties arent discouraging people from attacking old people ad their way of life.
If you did that in the 50s youd cop a belting from the neighbours for being dickheads.
Angling tourism is worth $10 billion to the Australian economy - 90000 jobs; more than any sport; spread the word
Dasho
Posts: 488
Date Joined: 24/03/06
What is with torching cars
What is with torching cars and boats lately?
Everyone loves cars and boats.
Looks like someones daddy never took them fishing as a child, and now is a serial arsonist!
Highlander
Posts: 151
Date Joined: 02/07/09
Dasho, The whole world has
Dasho, The whole world has gone all to blazes, no pun intended. I was born in the mid fifties and I dont like how the world is nowadays.It was far easier thirty years ago, compared to, today.
Jim.
fishing, that used to be free!!!!