A CENTRAL Coast teenager will face court on Wednesday after alleged arson at a Umina Beach shopping centre.
Emergency services were called to Ocean Beach Road about 2am on January 13 after reports a barber shop had caught fire.
The blaze spread to neighbouring stores and into a roof cavity. Firefighters were unable to defend the complex, which was destroyed.
Police said the estimated cost of the damage was "in excess of several million dollars".
Specialist police examined the scene, with their initial inquiries suggesting the fire was deliberately lit after a break-in at the barber shop.
Brisbane Water detectives examining the case arrested a 17-year-old boy at Woy Woy police station on Tuesday afternoon.
He was charged with damage property by fire and refused bail to face a children's court.
Investigations into the fire are ongoing.
