Man charged over church fire

A 29-year-old Bunbury man has been charged over a spate of fires across the city on Monday morning.

Residents were forced to take action as the historic St Marks church in East Bunbury was threatened by fire about 11am.

The quick thinking residents have been praised by police who say the alleged arsonist’s offending started earlier in the morning at Adam Road Primary School.

Police received reports from teachers that a man was allegedly trying to start several small fires by gathering piles of leaves at the school.

Police allege the man then made his way to East Bunbury where he started a fire at the church and in bushland on the east side of Robertson Drive.

Firefighters were kept busy battling the blazes, as smoke blanketed parts of Bunbury.

The fires have since been contained.

Police are calling on anyone who may have seen anything, in particular a man wearing grey tracksuit pants in the area to contact them.

People are also asked to check dash cam footage from anyone who was travelling through the area around the time of the fires.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The man is due to appear in Bunbury Magistrates Court on Tuesday.