Two 15-year-old boys have been summonsed to appear in court at a later date in relation to deliberately lit fires in Rocherlea, near Launceston.

Police were patrolling Rocherlea around 5.00pm on Sunday 21 January 2018, where they saw several small scrub fires burning close to a water tower off Reservoir Road.  Police entered the bushland and located the fires which appeared to be deliberately lit.  A total of seven fires were located.

Two 15-year-old boys were located in bushland near the last fire and were taken into custody.

Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) brought the fires under control but are expected to burn for some time.

“This is an excellent example of the proactive approach Tasmania Police is taking to prevent and detect bushfire offenders during peak times of fire risk,” Inspector Hopkins said.

“While TFS indicate that the fires are still burning, they’re restricted to old dead trees stumps. The boundary edges remain safe and TFS will continue to patrol the fire to ensure it remains controlled.”

Information can be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au