Alleged firebug Matthew Raymond Starr pleads not guilty to arson charges over fires at Two Wells, Dublin, other areas

A father of three charged with lighting a string of fires in Adelaide’s north on a hot summer day has faced court.

A father-of-three and alleged firebug has told a court he’s not responsible for lighting a string of fires on a day of extreme fire danger last year.

Virginia man Matthew Raymond Starr, 43, appeared briefly in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with nine counts of intentionally causing a bushfire.

Prosecutors allege Mr Starr set out to intentionally start a string of fires within 20km of his northern suburbs home on February 24 last year.

Eight individual blazes were lit between 2pm and 7pm that day, in suburbs including Two Wells, Dublin, Korunye, Reeves Plains and Lower Light.

Alleged arsonist Matthew Starr outside court. Picture: Leah Smith

CFS crews were able to extinguish the blazes with minimal damage, but at the time, SA Police said the risk to surrounding communities was significant due to the weather conditions on the day, with temperatures in their high 30s across the metro areas.

During investigations following the fires, SA Police said they were investigating at least eight fires lit on that same day.

On Wednesday morning, Mr Starr, through his lawyer Olivia Florence, pleaded not guilty to nine counts of intentionally causing a bushfire.

One of eight suspicious fire sites lit around the Two Wells area. Picture: Matt Loxton

“A case to answer is conceded,” Ms Florence said.

Magistrate Brian Nitschke remanded Mr Starr on continuing bail to face the District Court in November to set a date for trial.

At a previous hearing, Ms Florence said Mr Starr is the father of three young children, and has a “stable and supportive wife”.

She also said he was the owner of a roofing company.