Police & Court

Man interviewed over deliberately lit fires

By Contributed

Jan 25, 2026

Police are investigating five deliberately lit grassfires and urging the public for information. Photo by McPherson Media Group

Police are investigating a string of deliberately lit fires across the Goulburn Valley after interviewing a man in connection with the incidents.

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The 59-year-old was arrested on Thursday when his vehicle was intercepted on the Murray Valley Hwy at Nathalia.

He was later released pending further inquiries, and the investigation remains active.

Detectives are examining five grassfires deliberately ignited along Shepparton-Barmah Rd in the early hours of Friday, January 23, and Saturday, January 24.

The fires included:

Two grassfires at Kaarimba between 5am and 5.40am on Friday.
Two grassfires at Bunbartha between 12.50am and 1.10am on Saturday.
A further grassfire at Kaarimba about 1.20am on Saturday.

All blazes were quickly extinguished by fire authorities and no injuries were reported.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incidents, has dashcam or CCTV footage, or holds information that may assist the investigation to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au.