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Man charged after discarded cigarette identified as cause of bushfire

Bunbury Detectives have charged a man as a result of their investigation into a bushfire in Picton on Saturday, 10 March 2018.

Police and Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) officers were called to reports of a bushfire on South West Highway and Willinge Drive at around 1:30pm.

Due to weather conditions, the fire quickly spread and an area of approximately 168 hectares was burnt. A home on Bedwell Court in Glen Iris was badly damaged by the fire.

It will be alleged the man was smoking in bushland adjacent to Temple Road when he flicked his lit cigarette butt into scrub. This started a small fire and the man attempted to extinguish the fire but it grew out of control.

The man ran to a nearby service station and reported the fire to emergency services.

The 23 year old man from Picton has been charged with Breach Duty of Care – Duty to a Person in Control of Ignition Source of Fire.

He is due to appear before the Bunbury Magistrates Court today, 12 March 2018.