Three people have been charged following a house fire in the state's Central Tablelands region yesterday.
Emergency services were called to a home on Comara Crescent, Bowenfels, near Lithgow, about 2am yesterday (Thursday 2 July 2026), with reports of a house fire.
Officers attached to Chifley Police District attended. NSW Fire and Rescue extinguished the blaze; however, the house was completely destroyed.
A dog was also confirmed dead inside the home.
Police were told about 1.30am, a 58-year-old man had attempted to force entry into the home, allegedly pointing a knife at one of the male residents. No injuries were reported.
The man then left the scene in a sedan with another man, aged 36.
Police were told about 2am, a sedan arrived at the home and a 36-year-old man allegedly set fire to the property.
The residents of the home attempted to extinguish the fire, however it destroyed the home.
Two men – aged 58 and 36 – allegedly left the scene, along with a 26-year-old woman.
Following inquiries, about 6.50am the same day, police arrested two men – aged 58 and 36 – at a campground on Barton Avenue, Wallerawang.
Officers also allegedly seized a sedan, a fuel jerry can and an imitation firearm.
The men were taken to Lithgow Police Station where the younger man was charged with nine offences,
- Destroy/damage property with intent to endanger life
- Aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence-armed
- Goods suspected stolen in/on premises (not motor vehicle)
- Commit an act of cruelty upon an animal
- Predatory driving
- Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period
- Firearm etc found at premises-subject to prohibition order
- Possess unregistered firearm-pistol
- Breach of bail.
He was refused bail and faced Bail Division Court 4 today (Friday 3 July 2026), where he was formally refused bail to reappear at Lithgow Local Court on Thursday 27 August 2026.
The older man was charged with destroy/damage property with intent to endanger life, aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence-armed, goods suspected stolen in/on premises (not motor vehicle), commit an act of cruelty upon an animal, and breach of bail.
He was refused bail to face Bail Division Court 4 today (Friday 3 July 2026).
Following further inquiries, police arrested a 26-year-old woman at a campground on Barton Avenue, Wallerawang, about 1.30pm the same day.
The woman was taken to Lithgow Police Station where she was charged with destroy/damage property with intent to endanger life, aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence-armed, goods suspected stolen in/on premises (not motor vehicle), and commit an act of cruelty upon an animal.
She was refused bail and faced Bail Division Court 4 today (Friday 3 July 2026), where she was granted strict conditional bail to reappear at Lithgow Local Court on Thursday 27 August 2026.
Inquiries continue.
