Fed: Police are confident arson arests will be made

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-2009
Fed: Police are confident arson arests will be made

Victorian police are confident their arson investigations will lead to arrests.

The death toll now stands at 173 .. and is expected to rise.

Police believe the Gippsland fire was deliberately lit .. and firebugs could be responsible
for more.

Deputy police commissioner KIERAN WALSHE has refused to confirm reports police have
been given a video tape to help their investigation .. but has told ABC Television they're
confident they're making progress.

Task Force Phoenix has been established to lead the investigation .. with 100 police
looking into all fire-related deaths.

The task force will be headed by Crime Department Assistant Commissioner DANNYE (Dannye)
MOLONEY .. who was involved in similar investigations during the 1983 Ash Wednesday bush
fires.

AAP RTV sld/rl/af

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC WALSHE (CANBERRA)

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