Man accused of lighting Mount Gambier Valley Lake bushfire while wearing mask and cape denied bail
The fire could be seen from roads near Valley Lake on Friday night. (Supplied: Limestone Coast Community News)
In short:
A 37-year-old man has been charged over a bushfire that started at Valley Lake near Mount Gambier on Friday night.
Police have charged Travis Doel with causing a bushfire, threatening to cause harm, theft and offensive language.
What's next?
He has been remanded to appear in court again in February.
A man accused of lighting a bushfire just outside Mount Gambier while he was wearing a silver mask and a black cape has been denied bail.
The Mount Gambier Magistrates Court heard Travis Doel, 37, also allegedly swore at two women on Friday evening before they noticed the fires he is accused of lighting at the city's Valley Lake.
Police say Mr Doel stole a cask of wine from a liquor store in Mount Gambier earlier in the day and was seen with the box while at Valley Lake — a recreational lake next to the more famous Blue Lake.
Police charged Mr Doel with causing a bushfire, threatening to cause harm, theft and offensive language.
The prosecutor told the court Mr Doel swore at two women walking at the lake about 6:30pm on October 24 and allegedly threatened to rape them.
The Metropolitan Fire Service quickly put out the fire with help from Country Fire Service volunteers. (Supplied: Limestone Coast Community News)
Fires could have spread
The prosecutor said the women then noticed six fires had started near where Mr Doel had been.
"I don't need to tell the court how dangerous that behaviour could be," the prosecutor told the court.
The fire danger season for the lower South East starts on November 1, but Friday night was cold and still.
The prosecution, however, said there was still potential for it to spread.
"I can see from the allegations that the police believe that six fires were lit deliberately and without human intervention would have easily grown out of control," Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos told the court.
A black cape and a silver mask that Mr Doel had been seen wearing were allegedly found near where the fires were lit.
Mr Doel was refused bail to appear again in February. (ABC News: Justin Hewitson)
Bail denied over seriousness
"The seriousness of the offending, the protection of the community, and what has allegedly occurred is not a matter that I consider Mr Doel should be granted bail of any form," Magistrate Kossiavelos said.
Mr Doel will appear in court again in February.
Police have called for any other witnesses to come forward, including anyone with dash-cam footage.
Acting Superintendent Nick Patterson said police were worried about the upcoming bushfire season.
"We actually don't just look at people committing offences in terms of arson. We also look at people who are being negligent or reckless in their activities that could cause a bushfire," he said.