Chung Ho Park charged after fire at Pitt St unit in Merrylands

A man who allegedly ran away from the scene of a unit fire in Sydney’s west has fronted court.

The alleged arsonist was charged at Granville police station.

A man has been charged after a fire in a unit at Merrylands during the early hours of Tuesday.

Emergency services were called to a home at Pitt St about 3.15am following reports of a fire, which forced the evacuation of residents in adjoining units.

No one was injured in the incident.

Cumberland police allege Chung Ho Park was seen running from the scene.

Police established a crime scene and started investigations into the incident.

A short time later, 55-year-old man Park was arrested near the address.

He was taken to Granville police station where he was charged with damaging property by fire/explosion more than $15,000.

He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday.

A section 19 mental health assessment was ordered and he will be detained in a mental health facility for assessment.

If the defendant is found not to be a mentally ill person or mentally disordered person, they are to be brought back before a magistrate as soon as practicable unless granted bail by a police officer at that facility.

No plea was recorded.