Police: Suspect arrested (in connection to) deadly Australian fire

[Turborama]

Source: AP

YEA, Australia – A spokeswoman says police have arrested a man in connection to one of the recent deadly wildfires that swept southern Australia.

Victoria state police spokeswoman Marika Fengler confirmed Friday to The Associated Press that a man had been arrested, but would give no further details.

Respected newspaper The Age reported without giving a source that the 39-year-old suspect was expected to be charged with arson causing death in connection to a blaze known as the Churchill fire.

At least 21 people died in the Churchill fire, one of hundreds that scorched Victoria last Saturday. The death toll stands at 181 and is expected to exceed 200.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090213/ap_on_re_au_an/as_australia_wildfires

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YEA, Australia (AP) — A spokesman says police are questioning a man in connection with Australia's deadly wildfires.

Victoria state police spokesman Chris Nash told The Associated Press on Friday that a man was assisting investigators with their inquiries into the wildfires, but declined to go into details.

Respected newspaper The Age reported that the 39-year-old suspect was expected to be charged with arson causing death.

The Age reported that the suspect was from the town of Churchill. Police say one of Australia's wildfires that struck last weekend was deliberately set near Churchhill and that it killed at least 21 people.

More than 180 people were killed as wildfires swept across southeastern Victoria state.

[mzteris]

1. how old was the fundy preacher

who claimed he had a premonition about the fires???

[No Elephants]

2. Setting so-called wildfires is a crime against all life on the planet. I say this is

should be a capital crime. Last time I felt that way? When some nut smashed Michelangelo's Pieta.

I am against capital punishment, though. Dang my principles!

[Turborama]

3. I can relate to how you feel

I felt the same way when the ancient Bamiyan Buddhas were blown up by the Taliban in 2001, one of the many reasons I wasn't too upset to see them being ousted.

[Blue_Tires]

4. wow...he's going to need round-the-clock protection

and plastic surgery to even think about short-term survival...who would intentionally set off such a nationwide disaster in the first place?

[depakid]

6. Even with Australia's sub judis rules, it's going to be nearly impossible to get a fair trial

So let's just hope the authorities have the right guy....

[Ian David]

5. Any chance this guy is connected to the Catch The Fire Church? n/t

[Dulcinea]

7. I hope he's charged with murder too.

If they caught the right person, of course.