POLICE are investigating a string of suspicious bin fires in the Belconnen and City area over the past two nights.

Yesterday morning between 12.30am and 2am, police and fire crews responded to five garbage bin fires.

Three fires occurred along a residential street in Bruce, and two in the city area.  The two fires in the city area were started in large industrial skips, police say.

Arsonists struck again last night in Ainslie and Reid.  ACT Policing and ACT Fire and Rescue responded to four suspicious bin fires, two in Ainslie and two in Reid, between the hours of 10pm and 11pm.

ACT Policing North District Superintendent Brett Kidner says the act is incredibly dangerous and tied up ACT Policing and ACT Fire and Rescue resources throughout both nights.

“Given the cold weather, people are leaving their home heaters on while they sleep.  This increases the risk of a house fire starting and the occupants being unaware to the danger.  I would hate to see a life or house lost to fire due to emergency services resources being tied up responding to a bin fire,” he says.

“Large industrial skips or garbage bins may contain flammable material which could explode or intensify a fire, causing a real danger to any person or building within close proximity. Arson and property damage are serious offences, with both having possibly penalties of jail-time upon conviction.”

The public are reminded that if they have information which may prove useful to the investigations they can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers website onwww.act.crimestoppers.com.au. Information may be provided anonymously.