A SPIKE in deliberately-lit fires has fuelled concerns the region could be under the gun ahead of potentially one of the most deadly bushfire seasons in decades.
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The arson debate reignited after a Bourkelands home, in its final stages of construction, was gutted by fire on Monday night.
Forensic police and fire investigators deemed the blaze suspicious after sifting through ashes for clues.
Neighbour Matt Zouki watched plumes of smoke billow from the Bourkelands property after it was allegedly set alight.
He told The Daily Advertiser he has seen three separate houses burnt down during his short tenure in Wagga.
"I've been here a couple years now and I’ve seen three houses burnt down, which is more than I’ve seen in Melbourne my whole life,” he said.
Mr Zouki fears it is only a matter of time before fire-bugs claim a life with their reckless actions.
“Considering how fast the house lit up to a blaze and started falling apart, I think it definitely is possible for someone to lose their life,” he said.
“It was slightly stressful observing my surroundings for an angry arsonist whilst waiting for the police and fire department to arrive.”
It comes after startling statistics revealed two cars have been set on fire each week in Wagga this year – more than the entire of 2015.
The alarming trend has prompted authorities to warn residents about the dangers of fire.
“We are (getting called to more fires), but they’re mainly mobile property fires, like cars,” Fire and Rescue NSW Turvey Park station officer, Jason McDonnell, said.
“If it is on a street it is easier to contain it quicker than if it was on a field or bushland.
“There’s always a possibility for a fire to spread.”
Meanwhile, the spate of wet weather has only made the upcoming bushfire season even more precarious, according to a Bushfires and Natural Hazards report.
“The outlook suggests that inland NSW is facing a potentially severe bushfire season,” Firefighters Climate Alliance member Jim Casey said in the report.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.