An Australian firefighter is accused of starting 17 fires. The Darwin River unit fireman, whose name is not currently being released, was out on bail for alleged sex offenses.

Police caught the man by way of an ankle monitoring device he was wearing as part of bail. On Tuesday, police raided his home and charged him with starting a series of fires that have contributed to the worst wildfire outbreak in modern history.

The man’s lawyer says the evidence against his client is “circumstantial.” Instead, his attorney says the firefighter was helping to put out the blazes he’s accused of starting. His lawyer also claims the man does not fit the arsonist profile. However, a judge refused bail for the man after reading 33 pages of alleged case facts. He’s slated to appear before a judge in February.

This man is hardly the only accused arsonist in the Australian wildfires. Police arrested 183 accused arsonists in connection with the wildfires last week. The criminal punishment for intentionally starting a wildfire in Australia carries up to 15 years in prison.

The combination of drought conditions and extreme heat have turned all of Australia into a tinderbox.

(source)

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