A teenager has been charged following an investigation into a suspicious fire in the state’s south earlier this year.
About 2.45am on Saturday 6 July 2024, emergency services were called to a home on Edwardes Street, Deniliquin, after reports of a fire.
Officers attached to Murray River Police District arrived and located a man inside the home.
The 66-year-old man was removed from the home and treated by NSW Ambulance for smoke inhalation.
The fire spread to the adjacent home, where a woman was inside.
She was treated by NSW Ambulance for minor burns to her face, arms, and neck. She was taken to Deniliquin hospital as a precaution.
Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the blaze; however, the two homes were destroyed.
A crime scene was established, and an investigation into the cause of the blaze commenced under Strike Force Uncle.
Following extensive inquiries, officers arrested a 17-year-old boy in Glenfield Park, about 9.50pm on Saturday 7 September 2024.
He was taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station, where he was charged with destroy/damage property with intent to endanger life and two counts of damage property by fire/explosion more than $15000.
The teen was refused bail to appear before a children’s court yesterday (Sunday 8 September 2024), where he was formally refused bail to reappear at a children’s court today (Monday 9 September 2024).
Police are continuing their inquiries to locate two males running from the scene.
Strike force detectives are appealing to anyone with dashcam footage or information about the identity of the males, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
