Teenage volunteer firefighter charged with lighting fires he later fought in Western Australia
A teenage volunteer firefighter has been charged with starting multiple fires in Western Australia that destroyed a 100-year-old home as well as other buildings.
Police allege did Jude Wright, 19, deliberately lit nine fires and then responded to fight eight of them.
"His fire brigade (was) unable to attend the ninth fire due to already being engaged in responding to another of the fires he is alleged to have lit," WA Police said.
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Police allege not only did Jude Wright, 19, deliberately light nine fires, he then responded to fight eight of them. Nine
A volunteer firefighter has been charged with deliberately lighting a number of fires in WA. 9News
Mr Wright is alleged to have started fires around Western Australian suburbs, including at Wooroloo, near Perth, where a century-old home was destroyed on Boxing Day.
About 200 firefighters battled the blaze.
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Police allege he deliberately set the fires across a four-week period between December 23 and January 15.
Police say the man is allegedly responsible for fires at Wooroloo, where properties were destroyed. 9News
During the blazes, a 77-year-old's century-old home was destroyed in minutes, while six other structures were also charred.
Dozens of people were forced to evacuate, sending Christmas plans into disarray.
An elderly couple lost everything after a blaze ripped through their WA property on Boxing Day. 9News
Police allege he is also responsible for fires along Old Northam Road at Wooroloo, Old Northam Road at Beechina and at Breeze Road in Gidgegannup.
He was arrested by Strike Force Vulcan yesterday in Wundowie, and has been charged with nine counts of wilfully lighting a fire likely to injure or damage.
Mr Wright appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Sunday.
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