Man charged following council building fire - Lake Macquarie

Friday, 17 January 2025 12:37:02 PM

A man has been charged following an extensive investigation into an alleged arson at Lake Macquarie late last year.

About 3.50am on Wednesday 27 November 2024, emergency services were called to a building on Main Road, Speers Point, following reports of a fire.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District attended and found a council building well alight.

Fire and Rescue NSW crews worked to extinguish the blaze; however, the building was significantly damaged.

Police established a crime scene and inquiries into the fire commenced under Strike Force Komiatum.

Following extensive inquiries and public appeals for information, detectives attended a unit at East Maitland about 10am yesterday (Thursday 16 January 2025), where they executed a search warrant.

During the search, police allegedly located and seized a dark grey utility, a firearm, a small bag containing a substance believed to be methamphetamine, and other items of interest.

A 53-year-old man was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with destroy etc property in company use fire etc, possess unregistered firearm, not keep firearm safely, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, and possess prohibited drug.

He was refused bail to appear before Maitland Local Court today (Friday 17 December 2025).

Inquiries under Strike Force Komiatum are continuing.

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