Bizarre place police find alleged arsonist after ‘suspicious’ Townsville unit fire

A man accused of lighting a fire that ripped through several units and trapped a woman inside didn’t think police would look here.

Police have released bizarre footage of a man hiding inside a kitchen cupboard before being arrested and charged in connection to a suspicious fire.

The July 3 fire ripped through units and left one woman hospitalised in Queensland’s north.

Queensland Police footage shows the man hiding inside a kitchen cupboard before his arrest, his legs folded up as officers order him out.

Police searched the property for the alleged arsonist. Picture Qld Police

They found him hiding inside the cupboard. Picture: Qld Police

“Get out now, show me your hands right now,” an officer told the man as he cowered inside.

The 44-year-old Lower Tully man was arrested and charged with one count each of arson, possess utensils or pipes and failure to appear in accordance with undertaking.

He was refused bail and is due to reappear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on September 12.

Police allege the fire in the block of units on Percy St in Townsville was deliberately lit.

A 54-year-old woman was trapped inside one of the units.

Police arrested the man at a Heatley address on July 18.

The fire ripped through two units in Townsville while a woman was still inside. Picture: Qld Police

Heroic officers knocked down the walls to rescue the woman. Picture: Qld Police

Horrifying footage shows the moment the 54-year-old screams for help as the flames engulf her property.

“I just heard someone screaming in here,” AN officer said in the wild video.

One officer began kicking the door to the unit, but when it failed to give way, another officer launched his body at the side of the wall, knocking it down.

The 54-year-old was treated for smoke inhalation. Picture: Qld Police

Officers were coughing and spluttering as they moved garbage bins out of the way to retrieve the woman, with one saying they “can’t breathe” as smoke filled the property.

The woman was safely removed from the unit and taken to Townsville University Hospital, where she was treated for smoke inhalation.

The officers were also treated for minor smoke inhalation and were discharged from hospital.

Originally published as Bizarre place police find alleged arsonist after ‘suspicious’ Townsville unit fire