Police have made an arrest in connection with two house fires on Tuson Street, Ararat
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The latest fire occurred on Wednesday night last week with the other in October.
A police statement said investigators from the Ararat Crime Investigation Unit arrested a 20-year-old Ararat man on Monday as a result of an ongoing investigation into two deliberately lit fires in Tuson Street, Ararat.
“The man was charged with two counts of Burglary and two counts of Arson before being remanded in custody.
“Police are satisfied with the result and would like to thank the public for their engagement in our previous appeal for information on the matter via the Facebook Eyewatch page.”
Thomas Stefan Hutchinson, of no fixed address, appeared before Stawell Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and was not granted bail.
He will reappear in Stawell Magistrates’ Court on February 5.
Ararat Criminal Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Mal Wineberg said the accused had no connection to the owners of the two houses he allegedly setting alight.
“He is a transient and a drug user and was using the unoccupied houses for shelter and to take drugs,” Det Sen Con Wineberg said.
“He had a fascination with fire. There appears to be no other motive.”
Police arson chemists from Melbourne attended the scene of the fire last week.
Northern Grampians Police Service Area launched its new Eyewatch Facebook page earlier this month to improve connections with the community.
Det Sen Con Wineberg said the investigation was ongoing.
“Our Job is not over yet. We can always use more witnesses. Anybody who knows anything about the fires should contact us.”