A volunteer firefighter has appeared in court over a string of alleged arson attacks that have caused at least half a million dollars worth of damage to homes, vehicles and property in Tasmania.
Jamie Michael Clark, 30, of Oyster Cove, in southern Tasmania, has been suspended as a member of the Dover Fire Brigade while the matters are before court.
He was charged today with two counts of arson, three counts of unlawfully setting fire to property and 13 counts of unlawfully setting fire to vegetation between December last year and this month.
One of the fires completely destroyed an Oyster Cove home, with police estimating the damage at $300,000.
The home was vacant while it was being renovated.
Another of the fires totally destroyed a large storage shed in Sandford. Damage was valued at $30,000.
An $80,000 three-tonne excavator at Blackmans Bay, a ute on a roadside at Oyster Cove and a power pole at Oyster Cove were also destroyed by fire.
Clark did not enter pleas to the charges when he appeared in court this afternoon.
Magistrate Sam Mollard said he needed more time and information to be able to make a decision of Clark's application for bail.
Clark was remanded in custody to face court again on Monday.
