Arson accused Cherie Edna Solomon, 45, case waiting for scientific report in relation to the September 27, 2021, Gracemere house fire

The court was given an update this week on the William Close, Gracemere, alleged arson case.

The case against an accused arsonist is being held up by an outstanding scientific report.

Cherie Edna Solomon, 45, has been charged with arson over a William Close, Gracemere, house fire on September 27, 2021.

During a bail application hearing in Rockhampton Magistrates Court in October, police prosecutor Jennifer Leech said police alleged Ms Solomon used a jerry can to purposely light a fire which destroyed the house at 16 William Close and caused over $300,000 in damage “to people’s property who had provided her shelter”.

Ms Leech said police also alleged Ms Solomon then avoided police for days which led to an extensive search and rescue operation involving the RACQ Capricorn Rescue helicopter.

Ms Solomon was located about 4pm on September 29 in a gully on J Pierce Road in Bouldercombe, which is more than 3km as the crow flies from William Close through bushland.

She was located by police and search dogs.

During an update on the case in court on March 2, police prosecutor Brandy Butler said prosecutors were waiting on a scientific statement and was advised it was expected to take four more weeks.

Ms Solomon’s matter was adjourned to April 6.

In October, the court heard Ms Solomon has bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, and was alleged to be intoxicated at the time the fire was lit.

Ms Leech said police alleged Ms Solomon had not been compliant with her mental health medication.

The allegations included Ms Solomon, who appeared in court at the time uninjured and still wearing the same clothes she was reported wearing before going missing, being motivated to light the fire, having been evicted and wanting a dog removed from the property.

Defence lawyer Rebecca Winning, in October, said Ms Solomon had witnessed her own father die by suicide when she was eight years old.

Cherie Solomon.

She said Ms Solomon, who had been working at Gracemere’s Woolworths supermarket and whose mental health concerns dated back to 2009, did not display pyromaniac tendencies.

Ms Winning said the fact Ms Solomon was missing for two days and located four kilometres away from the house was “more attributed” to her intoxication and mental state, rather than her trying to avoid police.

Ms Solomon had no criminal record and had been non-compliant with her medication since June.

Police had appealed for assistance to help locate Ms Solomon, 45, who they stated was last seen at 5.30pm on Monday at the William Close, Gracemere home that went up in flames about 6.30pm on September 27.

A total of six crews attended and the main fire was out by 7.20pm, with the last crews leaving at 9pm.