THE cause of one of two fires within 10 minutes at Portland on Thursday evening is being viewed as potentially suspicious.
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Detective Sergeant Jason von Tunk, of the Portland police crime investigation unit, said the first fire started at Bolwarra just before 6pm after a resident poured petrol on a wasp nest and lit it up.
He said that happened near the intersection of the Princes Highway and Segnent Court.
"A small fire, 50 metres by 15 metres, burnt fence posts, grass and a couple of tree trunks. Country Fire Authority units had it under control in 20 minutes," he said.
"The fire is believed to have been started accidentally when a resident was using petrol to eradicate wasps on his own property.
"There are no more wasps."
Detective Sergeant von Tunk said that 10 minutes after the first fire a second blaze was reported in a bush reserve between the Portland foreshore and Dutton Way.
"Four CFA units attended that scrub fire, which burnt an area 20 metres by 20 metres. It was also quickly contained, within 20 minutes," he said.
"The cause of that fire is unknown and being viewed as potentially suspicious.
"Anyone with information is requested to contact the Portland police station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000," he said.
