The NSW Rural Fire Service and police are investigating Snapchat footage showing three men standing near a bushfire, after a blaze tore through bushland south-west of Sydney over the weekend.
The footage, posted to the app on Tuesday morning, has been handed to Strike Force Carpi as investigators work to determine how the blaze started. Police have urged the men shown in the video to come forward to aid with investigations.
There is nothing to suggest the men shown in the footage were responsible for the bushfire, which hit parts of the Holsworthy army base before nearing homes in Wattle Grove, Pleasure Point, Voyager Point, Menai, Barden Ridge and Bangor.
RFS spokesperson Chris Garlick told ABC that it was currently unclear if the footage was captured near Holsworthy, but “it will form part of the investigation on where that fire occurred and who was responsible for lighting that particular fire.”
Garlick added that people are putting themselves and firefighting efforts at risk by entering active bushfire areas.
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons went further, telling The Sydney Morning Herald their actions constituted a “gross act of stupidity”.
No homes were lost in the fire. The blaze is now considered to be under control.
