Emergency crews called to South Mackay house fire

A man will front court tomorrow over allegedly lighting four fires at the same South Mackay home. Read the latest.

A West Mackay man will front court on Thursday over allegedly lighting multiple fires at a South Mackay home.

Police allege the 60 year old lit four fires at the Penn St home between January 19 and March 2.

About 2.30am Wednesday, it is alleged the man went to the home, on the corner of Pirie St, and moved a wheelie bin close to the garage door before setting fire to the contents of the bin.

An occupant at the home confronted the man allegedly resulting in brief fight before the man fled in a vehicle.

Emergency crews called to a house fire on Penn Street, South Mackay, on February 18.

“Thankfully, the fire in the wheelie bin was suppressed before any damage could be caused to the home,” Senior Constable Stephen Smith said.

“As police were conducting patrols in the area, they found a vehicle fitting the description of that provided by the Penn St resident.”

Police went to a West Mackay address where this vehicle was found.

“Following a discussion with the man, he was arrested and taken to the Mackay watch-house where he was charged with four counts of endangering a property by fire,” Senior Constable Smith said.

Fire crews were soon able to douse the flames.

“All four counts related to separate fires at the same South Mackay property.”

Multiple emergency crews were called to the Penn St site after flames were spotted on the balcony of the two-storey vacant home about 11.30pm Friday, February 18.

Mackay police district duty officer Senior Sergeant Lisa Mansfield said fire crews on that occasion were able to quickly extinguish the flames.

“We received a triple-0 call that a house was on fire here in Penn St,” Senior Sergeant Mansfield said.

“We arrived and the garage area and veranda area were on fire at that time.”

A man has been charged with lighting fires at the same home on Penn Street, South Mackay.

As well a police and fire crews, paramedics were on standby at the home, on the corner of Pirie St, while the fire was being doused.

“There’s minimal damage,” Senior Sergeant Mansfield said, adding there were no injuries and no one was inside the property at the time.

It is understood the home was undergoing renovation.

A crime scene was declared and Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch detectives are investigating which culminated in charges being laid on March 2.

The man will appear in Mackay Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Originally published as Emergency crews called to South Mackay house fire