A 10-year-old child has been seized by police after reportedly igniting three grassfires just metres from homes in Adelaide’s north.
CCTV captures the moment the boy rode his scooter into thick scrub minutes before fire erupted.
The footage also shows surrounding witnesses trying furiously to put out the flames.
Whilst the surveillance tape shows a child riding a scooter, what he does next is not captured on camera.
Moments later the 10-year-old escaped as smoke began to fill the air.
He then returns again before a passer by is seen attempting to stamp on a fire.
Footage shows the child return a third time before the blaze takes hold.
Firefighters were summoned to the crossroads of Turnbull and Tindall roads soon after 5pm.
They reported they immediately noticed more fires along the route.
Police were then contacted as a priority.
“We believe we’ve got a juvenile arsonist in the area, who has actually just started another grass fire nearby that we’ll get to work with,” they stated.
Police arrived and took the youngster away. The alleged arson took place mere yards from residences. Three distinct fires were started in all, with one of them inside a 3.5-hectare natural bushland reserve, police added.
A homeowner, Sandra Agostino, said: “Last night I was getting ready and I could to like go out and I could smell smoke throughout the house.”
Another resident, Pam Russell, told that “It could be really dangerous for the houses at the back there.”
The boy has been reported for recklessly endangering property. He is now anticipated to be dealt with through the juvenile justice system.
