A MAN accused of starting three separate fires at a home at Wallsend over a period of five weeks has been refused bail in Newcastle Local Court.
Kevin George Fitzpatrick, 37, of Waratah, is accused of damaging a house, a carport and a vehicle in three separate acts of arson at a home on Metcalfe Street between June 24 and July 30.
An elderly woman was inside the home at the time of all three fires, but was not injured, police said.
Detectives allege Mr Fitzpatrick was in an ongoing dispute with a former resident at the property and had assaulted him at the home a few days before the first fire.
Following a public appeal for information, police arrested Mr Fitzpatrick at Waratah on Thursday.
He has not entered pleas to three counts of destroy or damage property with intent to endanger life, two counts of destroy or damage property and one count of common assault.
