Mackay court: Julie Marie Clark accused of killing puppies, burning down McIntyre St, Calen home

A Queensland mum is accused of starting a horror house fire that razed a home and killed eight dogs, after raising her insurance.

Lisa Marie Clark is accused of burning down a Calen home while her eight puppies were inside. Picture: Google Maps

A Mackay region woman facing serious allegations of arson, fraud and animal cruelty allegedly killed eight dogs after setting her home on fire.

Julie Marie Clark faced Mackay Magistrates Court on Monday accused of starting the fire which burned her McIntyre St, Calen home to the ground on November 19, 2024.

Despite the efforts of four fire crews, the home was completely destroyed with eight two-week old dogs being killed in the blaze, the court heard.

Ms Clark is charged with arson after a fire tore through a home in Calen, killing eight dogs in the process . Picture: istock

Magistrate Damien Dwyer said there was a “very strong case” against Ms Clark.

“The allegations seem to be a premeditated plan to burn the place down... for insurance,” Mr Dwyer said.

“What it seems to me is some sort of plan to up the insurance and then burn the place.

“It was particularly cruel... if the allegations were true.”

Ms Clark is charged with eight counts of killing a dog, arson, two instances of fraud and one charge of attempted fraud.

She was also charged with assault occasioning bodily harm occurring on November 18, 2024, a domestic violence offence.

The court heard she is employed full time as a warehouse storeperson and she would stay with a friend in Beaconsfield if bail was granted.

Police prosecutor Matt Saunders said police concern for releasing Clark on bail stemmed from the serious nature of her arson charge.

Mr Dwyer accepted Ms Clark was not a flight risk, but still denied her bail due to the seriousness of her alleged offending.

Ms Clark’s lawyer said her client claimed the arson reports were contradictory which Mr Dwyer said he did not accept as she had not seen them.

Mr Dwyer refused Ms Clark’s bail application and ordered she remain on remand until her next hearing in June.

“You have a terrible history but to be fair to you... it’s only been sporadic,” Mr Dwyer said

“Because of the serious nature of the offending your application is refused.”