Waterloo Corner man faces court charged with arson after care home burns down

A man allegedly burned down his home after he and a carer had an argument over what was for dinner, a court has heard.

A northern suburbs care home burned down after a lit stove was left unattended during a “dispute” between a carer and a mentally unwell man over dinner, a court has heard.

On Friday, Malcolm Cox, a 27-year-old Waterloo Corner man, appeared via video link from the Elizabeth Magistrates Court cells after his arrest on Thursday.

On Friday, Malcolm Cox, a 27-year-old Waterloo Corner man, appeared via video link

Counsel for Mr Cox told Magistrate Karim Soetratma the charge of arson - of a building or motor vehicle - would be contested, but was yet to confirm if the case would progress into an argument relating to Mr Cox’s mental competence.

Mr Cox was being cared for at the home, which was owned by InComPro – an Aboriginal cultural support service - by staff.

“Mr Cox did not wish to eat what was prepared for him, he began to make a meal for himself, a dispute arose between himself and the carer and the kitchen was left unattended while the stove was left on,” defence said.

Police prosecutors alleged the carer staying with Mr Cox had locked himself in a room after he allegedly threatened to burn down the house and kitchen utensils were thrown during the “dispute” over dinner.

The court heard staff from InComPro had come to support their client and offer him another address.

Mr Cox has multiple health concerns including an acquired brain injury, schizophrenia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes.

CFS and MFS crews rushed to the scene on Symes Rd shortly after 9:45pm on Thursday night.

Firefighters managed to contain the fire and save a car parked in the driveway, but the single-storey weatherboard home was completely destroyed in the blaze, causing $200,000 damage.

Police found another of the home’s occupants nearby and took him to hospital for assessment.

Police say neither Mr Cox nor the other occupant were injured in the blaze.

The court heard that if released, InComPro would increase Mr Cox’s level of care, and offered an Elizabeth Grove address for him to reside on home detention.

Mr Soetratma said under the circumstance – and the strength of the support by InComPro – he was prepared to order a report, and Mr Cox was remanded in custody until later this month.

It comes after four other fires ripped through properties in Adelaide’s north, northeast and south on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, leaving two people in hospital and causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage.

Originally published as Waterloo Corner man faces court charged with arson after care home burns down