Vic: Police launch appeal to find teens seen near inferno

AAP General News (Australia)
12-15-2006
Vic: Police launch appeal to find teens seen near inferno

Police have launched an urgent appeal to find two teenagers seen near the source of
a blaze that led to the death of a man near Heyfield in Victoria's south-east.

Yesterday a fire was deliberately lit near Coopers Creek.

The blaze spread rapidly .. destroyed seven houses and led to the death of a 48-year-old
man who fell off a trailer while battling flames on private property .. and was run over
by a truck following behind.

Acting Inspector WAYNE VINEY says two teenagers were seen on Coopers Creek Road ..

just north of where the fire started.

He says they're not considered suspects but police are keen to speak with them.

Police are also appealing for any motorists who were on the Rawson/Tyers Road .. between
Walhalla and Cowwarr roads .. between 10.30am (AEDT) and 11.30am yesterday.

Inspector VINEY says the person or people who lit the blaze put many people's lives at risk.

One of the teens was riding a 250 cc motorcycle with a blue petrol tank.

He was wearing a blue top .. dark coloured pants and open-face helmut with a black peak.

The other teen was aged about 18 and had a solid build and light brown to strawberry
blonde shoulder-length hair.

He was wearing a red t-shirt with a square print on the front .. dark knee-length shorts
and was carrying a dark coloured backpack.

AAP RTV mj/ce/cp/bart

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC ARSON (MELBOURNE)

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