A man remains before the courts charged after allegedly lighting a fire that destroyed bushland in the state's Mid North Coast area earlier this year.
About 8.30pm on Monday 6 April 2026, emergency services were called to bushland at Bellingen Lookout, Bellingen, after reports of a fire.
Rural Fire Services crews attended and extinguished the blaze which allegedly spread through approximately half an acre of bushland.
Officers attached to Coffs/Clarence Police District were later notified of the fire and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Following extensive inquiries, about 9.45am on Wednesday (1 July 2026), investigators arrested an 18-year-old man at home on Connell Place, Bellingen.
He was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station where he was charged with intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread.
He was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Court 1 later that same day, where he was granted conditional bail for appear before Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday 22 July 2026.
