Tyler Fufalko in court after allegedly starting Auburn hall blaze
A man who allegedly started a blaze at a church building in Sydney’s west has fronted court for the first time since he was granted bail. Find out what happened.
Parramatta
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A man who was charged after a ferocious fire ripped through a 150-year-old church hall at Auburn and caused it to collapse has fronted court.
Tyler Fufalko appeared at Burwood Court for the first time since he was granted bail following the blaze at the St Thomas’ Anglican Church building on March 2.
Firefighters were forced to retreat moments before the Provincial St structure gave way.
Mr Fufalko, 27, was charged with possessing a prohibited drug and breach of bail before he was taken to hospital for treatment.
Papers tendered to the court allege he had a black bottle containing gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and a syringe containing the substance.
After more investigations, the Merrylands man was charged with damaging property by fire/explosive domestic violence related.
Mr Fufalko was given bail at Burwood Court on March 3 and returned on Tuesday when the matter was adjourned to April 4 so it could be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The lawyer for Mr Fufalko, who had a small group of supporters in court, said a bail variation would be made next month.
Under his existing bail conditions, Mr Fufalko must report to Blacktown police station daily and not leave his home unless with his mother, not drink alcohol or take drugs and post a $5000 surety.
Fifty firefighters and about 16 fire trucks responded to the blaze about 3pm.
Firefighters entered the building to search for people but were forced back by the intense heat and flames. A short time later, a building next to the church collapsed.
There were no reports of injuries or anyone unaccounted for.
A Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman said the main church building was unaffected by the blaze.
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