Car fires raise concerns

Police are investigating whether there is a link between the torching of this car last month and a recent spate of car blazes.

Four cars have been torched in three days after brazen thieves crept into Carey Park homes, stealing car keys while the occupants were sleeping.

Police believe the offenders then went joyriding before returning to the area and setting fire to the cars, which are now all write-offs.

Firefighters were called shortly before 3am on Friday to extinguish a car dumped off Balgore Way and to a second on Saturday at 2.42am, abandoned near Bunbury Cemetery.

Two more cars were destroyed by fire on Monday morning, one found by firefighters off Robertson Drive at 4.35am and a second off Brittain Road 23 minutes later.

South West District police superintendent Laurence Panaia said police were worried by the outbreak and were investigating if the torchings were linked.

‘‘This style of burglary where car keys go missing is becoming more common,’’ Supt Panaia said.

‘‘It’s a new trend that we haven’t seen before, something that concerns us greatly.

‘‘We’ve had no other incidences of those vehicles being involved in other offences — we’re thinking they’re joyriding and then ending up back in Carey Park.’’

Forensics are inspecting the vehicles and police are looking into whether the spate could be linked to a similar torching late last month.

A Toyota Camry sedan was found abandoned and engulfed in flames off Estuary Drive shortly before midnight on August 23.

Police said the car was stolen from a Pelican Point home which was also burgled.

Bunbury Fire Station officer Paul Smoker said having to attend the fires needlessly tied up the city’s firefighting resources.

Mr Smoker said in addition to risking the lives of community, the torchings exposed fire crews to considerable danger.

‘‘Car fires are a very toxic environment for firefighters,’’ Mr Smoker said.

‘‘Car fires are some of the worst because they are full of rubber, plastic and vinyl.

‘‘They also can have tyres explode so there’s a danger there as well.’’