Jamain Patrick Grant: Geraldton man arrested, charged for lighting seven fires near Mullewa

A Geraldton man is accused of going on a rampage on Saturday, allegedly starting fires along Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road towards Mullewa and then threatening to kill a local farmer who confronted him. Detectives are investigating two suspicious fire incidents on the weekend, in Ambania, near Mullewa, and Arrowsmith, south of Dongara. A man has been arrested and charged after allegedly starting several fires along Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road near Ambania. Police allege the man lit seven fires, which caused nearby power lines to collapse over the train line, stopping the running of trains. This is believed to be at a cost of about $100,000 per hour to the mining and farming industries until the train lines are cleared and restored. When the man’s vehicle broke down on the Mingenew-Mullewa Road, Devil’s Creek he allegedly lit several small grass fires on farmland with local farmers attempting to extinguish them, before threatening a farmer who had confronted him. Jamain Patrick Grant, from Spalding, was charged with two counts of breach of duty — in relation to starting the fires — and threats to kill. He appeared in Northbridge Court on Sunday morning and remains remanded in custody. He will appear in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday. Local detectives are also seeking information relating to a bushfire in the Arrowsmith area on Saturday. About 10.45am, police were advised of the fire on Brand Highway near the Twin Hills rest stop. The fire spread quickly and about 120 hectares of bushland were destroyed before the fire was brought under control. Both the Ambania and Arrowsmith fires reached a watch and act warning level before firefighters got on top of them. Geraldton detectives would like to speak to anyone with relevant information or dash-cam vision and urged them to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperswa.com.au. The blazes come a week after a fire in Howatharra ravaged 1085ha of land, with the cause still undetermined, although authorities do not believe it is suspicious. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has investigated the site of the fire, which stretches between the shires of Northampton and Chapman Valley. The immediate response from career and volunteer firefighters on the ground and in the sky helped keep the fire at bay, even though it came to within metres of a number of homes. DFES incident officer Ian Comben said the response from career and volunteer firefighters was outstanding, and ultimately helped save multiple homes from being destroyed. A dry season coupled with wind meant the fire could have been devastating, but instead the only damage was to fencing, piping and livestock.