A man has been charged in relation to an alleged suspicious building fire on the state's Central Coast earlier this year.
About 4am on Friday 7 March 2025, emergency services were called to Penrose Crescent, Erina, after reports of a building fire at a Pilates studio.
Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze; however, the building sustained extensive damage.
A short time later, emergency services were called to Old Maitland Road, Mardi, following reports of a vehicle fire.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze; however, the vehicle – believed to be a silver Hummer H3 – was destroyed.
Crime scenes were established at both locations by officers attached to Brisbane Water Police District, who commenced inquiries into the suspicious fires under Strike Force Lottah.
Following extensive inquiries, a 33-year-old man was arrested today (Wednesday 30 July 2025) at Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with two counts of damage property by fire/explosion, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, break and enter intend to commit serious indictable offence, possess dedicated encrypted criminal communication device to commit serious criminal activity, and use carriage service to threaten to kill (DV).
The man is due to appear before the Wyong Local Court on Friday 12 September 2025.
