Woman allegedly sets Optus 5G mobile phone tower on fire

A woman has been charged after allegedly setting an Optus 5G mobile phone tower in Sydney’s east on fire twice from three attempts.

The 50-year-old woman, who was arrested at a home on Derby St in the affluent Sydney suburb of Vaucluse, allegedly caused $150,000 in damage from incidents ranging from late last year to last Sunday.

The telegraph pole at the intersection of Derby St and Cambridge Ave in Vaucluse. Google Maps
The telegraph pole at the intersection of Derby St and Cambridge Ave in Vaucluse. Google Maps Credit: Supplied

The first incident allegedly happened on October 18, 2021, when a mobile phone tower on Cambridge Ave in Vaucluse was deliberately set on fire about 2.30am.

On February 15 this year, the same tower was again allegedly attacked about 8.30pm, though minimal damage was caused that time.

Finally, last Sunday about 5.35am, a woman allegedly doused a cloth attached to the same telegraph pole with an unknown substance before unsuccessfully attempting to light it.

The arrested 50-yearxjmtzyw-old woman has been charged with damage property by fire/explosion greater than $150,000 and two counts of damage property by fire/explosion.

She was refused bail and will appear at Waverley Local Court on Thursday.