A man has been charged in hospital with weapon and property damage offences after a house fire at Argenton last Friday.
Police arrived to find the Park Avenue property alight about 6.30pm and tried to speak to the occupant - a 59-year-old man.
The man is alleged to have confronted police with a knife and retreated into the burning house.
A short time later, police assisted the man from the home and rendered first aid, before paramedics arrived and treated him.
He was taken to John Hunter Hospital in critical condition suffering burns to his face, shoulders, and torso, before being transported to Royal North Shore Hospital.
Fire & Rescue NSW crews extinguished the blaze, before a crime scene was established and examined by specialist forensic officers. Police established Strike Force Janet to investigate.
Following inquiries, investigators attended Royal North Shore Hospital on Sunday and charged a 59-year-old man with six offences, including;
- damage property by fire/explosion,
- enter prescribed premises of any person without lawful excuse,
- use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, and
- destroy or damage property (x2).
The man was refused bail and appeared at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday. He is next due to appear at Toronto Local Court on November 23.
The incident is no longer being treated as a critical incident and investigations under Strike Force Janet are continuing.
