A man has been arrested and charged for allegedly starting bushfires in the southern suburbs in January.

Just after 4pm on Sunday 24 January 2021, bushfires were discovered on Hicks Hill Road at Cherry Gardens, Mathews Road and Mount Bold Road at Bradbury and Dorset Vale and Cut Hill Road at Kangarilla. The fires quickly spread in very hot conditions, burning for over 24 hours.

The fires spread rapidly in hot conditions on a day of a total fire ban and burnt for over 24 hours before weather conditions eased and allowed CFS to control the fires.

Damage caused by these fires resulted in the destruction of 9 residential properties and 12 outbuildings.

Following an investigation, yesterday (13/5) Southern District Detectives arrested and charged a 61-year-old man from Hallett Cove with twelve counts of intentionally causing a bush fire and ten counts of property damage.

The man has been refused police bail and will appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court tomorrow.

The investigation is ongoing and police ask anyone who saw people or vehicles in the Cherry Gardens, Dorset Vale, Bradbury, Clarendon and Kangarilla areas who may have witnessed a small white car in those areas between the hours of 3.30 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. to please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online www.crimestopperssa.com.au.