Burwood Police have charged a woman after she allegedly attempted to set a unit alight with a man inside in Sydney's southwest this morning.
About 7.40am (Sunday 17 May 2026), police were called to a unit block on Canterbury Road, Canterbury, following reports of a domestic incident.
On arrival, officers attached to Burwood Police Area Command found that a woman – aged 50 – had allegedly attempted to force her way into a man's unit.
During the attempt the 50-year-old allegedly damaged the door with a tyre jack before setting front of the unit alight with the man inside.
Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze before it could spread inside the unit.
The man – aged 54 – was uninjured.
The woman was arrested nearby before being taken to Burwood Police Station.
During the arrest, police searched the woman locating and seizing a lighter and a small amount of methamphetamine.
The woman was charged with destroy/damage building by fire with intent to murder (DV), damage property by fire/explosion, aggravated break & enter & commit serious indictable offence-people there, stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm (domestic), and supply prohibited drug more than small & less than or equal to indictable quantity.
She was refused bail to appear before Burwood Local Court tomorrow (Monday 18 May 2026).
Anyone with information relating to domestic and family-related violence is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
