Man faces court charged with arson over Flint House fire in early April

A young man has briefly faced court charged with arson after a New Town boarding house caught fire earlier this month.

A MAN in his 20s has briefly faced court after allegedly setting fire to Flint House earlier this month.

Barry John Eldridge, 26, faced the Hobart Magistrates Court via video link on Friday following the inferno at the New Town boarding house, which provides crisis accommodation for people in need.

The main house at Pirie Street, which was convict-built in the mid 1800s, has about 40 rooms.

The April 4 blaze displaced about 27 residents, who were forced to sleep on makeshift beds.

Mr Eldridge has not yet entered a plea to a charge of arson, with the court hearing his lawyer Craig Rainbird still needed to speak with him over the allegation.

The fire at Flint House on April 4 caused significant damage. Picture: Chris Kidd

Fire service investigators previously said the Flint House fire started in a bedroom and was deliberately lit, with the blaze causing significant destruction.

No-one was injured during the blaze.

Mr Eldridge will return to court via video link on May 13.

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