NSW: Carr says arson a likely cause of bushfire crisis

00-00-0000
NSW: Carr says arson a likely cause of bushfire crisis

SYDNEY, Dec 5 AAP - Many of the bushfires that destroyed homes and were threateningmore property around NSW may have been deliberately lit, Premier Bob Carr said today.

"I think we've got to assume that, it's overwhelmingly the case," he told ABC Radio.

"This is the most extreme form of anti-social behaviour you can see in our society... we are in the worst drought in 100 years."

Mr Carr today reiterated the government was considering a change to laws relating tomotorists who throw cigarette butts out their car windows.

It was believed at least one fire yesterday was sparked by a cigarette butt being thrownfrom a moving car.

"It's like arson, the challenge is to make the case to get the evidence up," he said.

"I think (emergency services minister) Bob Debus said a week ago he would review thelaw on that, but the difficulty is apprehending people.

"I would want in these circumstances every smoker to understand that this is a shockinglycruel thing to do to the community of which you're a part."

He said dry grass at the edge of roads was highly flammable because of the state-wide drought.

MORE ld/nf/mg/sb

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES NSW CARR