A 22-year-old mining industry worker from Muswellbrook, accused of causing a fire that resulted in $400,000 worth of damage to a Brook Street property in the early hours of Friday morning, was granted strict bail in Newcastle Bail Court Saturday morning.
Zachary Maxwell Barwick has been charged with damaging a property by fire or explosion to a value greater than $15,000 after Hunter Valley Police and NSW Fire and Rescue were called to the scene of a house fire around 2.05am Friday.
On arrival, officers found the property well alight and though firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze a short time later, the building sustained substantial damage, police said.
No one was inside the premises at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.
Mr Barwick was granted strict bail which included the conditions that he not leave his residence between the hours of 7pm and 5pm, that he report to police daily, that he not attempt to contact or go near the victim, that he is of good behaviour and does not commit any offences, and that he attend a medical practitioner within 72 hours of release for treatment, as well as posting a surety of $1000 to appear again at Muswellbrook Local Court on December 6.
Meanwhile, Police are urging anyone with information in relation to the incident to come forward and contact Hunter Valley Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
