Teen in court after inferno causes $900,000 damage to two-storey beach house at Goolwa South

A court has heard the bizarre explanation allegedly behind a fire that destroyed a beachfront house at Goolwa South – and left a teenager facing an arson charge.

• Goolwa South home engulfed by flames

A young NSW man was trying to set a golf club alight with petrol when he accidentally burnt down a $900,000 beach house, a court has heard.

Micah Gilham, 19, faced the Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with arson after police say his reunion with a group of friends at the Goolwa South beach house turned into chaos.

The two-storey beach house was completely gutted by a fierce fire late Tuesday night.

The court heard Mr Gilham flew from NSW to stay at the house, which was owned by the grandfather of one of his friends.

A two-storey beach house was completely gutted by a fierce fire on Wednesday night, causing a huge damage bill. Picture: SA Police

Micah Gilham leaves Christies Beach Magistrates Court on November 27, 2024, charged with arson over the fire at a Goolwa South house. Picture: Charlie Dadds

A police prosecutor told Magistrate Natalie Browne that the prosecution allege Mr Gilham “wanted to set fire to a golf club and swing it across the sand dunes” but, minutes later, the house they were staying in became engulfed in flames when the fuel can caught fire, spilt, and spread.

The alarm was first raised just after 11.30pm on Tuesday after reports of a fire at the home on Bristow-Smith Ave.

Nine CFS crews arrived to find the house fully alight, and quickly worked to extinguish the blaze and save surrounding properties.

The occupants of the house had all evacuated prior to arrival of emergency services and no one was injured.

The court heard the fire started in the garage.

“The defendant poured fuel over the head of the golf club that was lying on the ground,” the prosecutor said.

The aftermath of Tuesday night’s blaze.

“It was in the garage and subsequently the fuel can that was used caught fire.

“In an act to try and put that out, it’s been spilt and has spread further causing the total destruction of the house, which was insured in the region of $900,000. It’s accepted that this was a very silly mistake.”

Mr Gilham’s father was present in court having flown over from NSW, but offered no comment after his son’s appearance.

Mr Gilham was granted bail and will face Adelaide Magistrates Court in April next year.

Police detectives continued investigating the circumstances of the fire and fire investigators attended the scene to carry out an examination.

Anyone who has information in relation to this fire is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au