Man Charged Over Adelaide Hills Bushfire

Man Charged Over Adelaide Hills Bushfire
Smoke from a bushfire is seen near Gumeracha in the Adelaide Hills, Adelaide, Dec. 21, 2019. (AAP Image/Kathryn Bermingham)
AAP
By AAP
1/24/2021
Updated:
1/24/2021

A man has been charged with starting a bushfire in the Adelaide Hills after speeding away from police patrolling the area.

His arrest comes as firefighters battle a number of bushfires burning in the hills southeast of Adelaide.

A patrol car spotted a vehicle speeding away from the fire on Piggott Range Road at Clarendon on the evening of January 24.

Police stopped the car and arrested the 60-year-old, who has now facing charges of cause bushfire, unlicensed and drink driving, and engaging in a police pursuit.

He was refused bail to appear in Christies Beach Court later on Monday.

The fire was put out by members of the public and caused minimal damage, police said.

Detectives are investigating whether this fire is linked with others in the hills area.

More than 300 firefighters spent the night battling blazes in the Adelaide Hills on Sunday.

An emergency warning was issued for the Cherry Gardens fire including Echunga and Macclesfield in the Mount Loft Ranges.

Authorities downgraded that alert to Watch and Act overnight.

Adelaide sweltered through heatwave conditions on Sunday, with temperatures climbing above 40C across much of South Australia.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the Clarendon fire or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.

Adelaide