A MAN accused of sparking bushfires at Neath and Aberdare in hot and sticky conditions in late December allegedly told police "that's not me lighter, that's me flame-thrower", according to court documents.
Jake Graham Brown, 23, of Aberdare, appeared in Cessnock Local Court, which is currently sitting at Newcastle courthouse, on Wednesday charged with two counts of intentionally causing fire and being reckless as to its spread.
Mr Brown, who was represented by criminal defence lawyer James Janke, did not enter any pleas and the matter was adjourned until February 12 to determine if the DPP would elect to prosecute. Mr Brown is accused of lighting a fire in bush near the intersection of Northumberland Street and Henderson Street at Neath about 8.30pm on December 27. Police allege that Mr Brown was in bushland in that area with a friend when he started a fire which quickly got out of control and he attempted to put it out by standing on it and then using a nearby dumped mattress.
Police allege Mr Brown sustained scorch marks on his shins from his attempts to extinguish the blaze and then made three calls to triple-zero.
At about 11pm that night, police say they spotted a blaze in bushland off Greta Street, Aberdare near the Aberdare Cemetery.
A short time later police say they were canvassing the area when Mr Brown appeared and said he had passed out on his way to the cemetery but was woken up by the smoke. Police searched Mr Brown, finding a cigarette lighter in his pocket and Mr Brown allegedly said "that's not me lighter, that's me flame-thrower".
Temperatures reached 34 degrees in Cessnock on December 27, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
