Wednesday, 29 April 2026

Detectives are appealing for public assistance following two suspicious fires at Pilates studios on the Central Coast earlier this year.

About 4.30am on Wednesday 21 January 2026, emergency services were called to a business on The Entrance Road, Erina, after reports of a fire at a Pilates studio. Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze, however the premises sustained significant damage. No injuries were reported.

Shortly after, about 5.15am, emergency services were called to another Pilates studio on Enterprise Drive, Berkeley Vale, where a second fire had broken out. Fire crews extinguished that blaze as well, with the business also suffering significant damage. Again, no injuries were reported.

Police later attended Cobbs Road, Mardi, where a burnt-out sedan was located a short time after the fires.

Brisbane Water Police District and Tuggerah Lakes Police District initially investigated the incidents before the matter was taken over by the State Crime Command’s Financial Crimes Squad Arson Unit under Strike Force Fredonia.

Investigators are treating the fires as suspicious, with early inquiries suggesting the incidents may be linked.

As part of ongoing inquiries, detectives have released CCTV footage showing two vehicles—a white Mitsubishi SUV and a black Subaru Impreza—near the Erina premises around the time of the fire.

The footage also shows a person allegedly exiting the Subaru Impreza wearing a black hoodie and brown pants, carrying a hammer and jerry can. The person is then seen allegedly breaking into the studio, pouring fuel and setting it alight before leaving the scene.

Strike Force Fredonia detectives continue to investigate and are urging anyone with information, or who may recognise the vehicles or person involved, to come forward.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated confidentially.