A MAN accused of sparking 12 blazes in cars, skip bins and rubbish at Windale during high temperatures and strong winds earlier this month allegedly told police he has a predilection for lighting fires and "needs help", Belmont Local Court has heard.
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Chad Joseph Musgrave, 33, of Windale, appeared in court on Wednesday via audio visual link from the cells at Newcastle courthouse charged with 12 counts of intentionally or recklessly damaging property by fire.
Police say Mr Musgrave lit the fires in five cars, five abandoned mattresses, a skip bin and a pile of rubbish in James Street, Bourke Street, Kalyan Way, Talinga Close and Balemo Crescent either late at night or in the early morning on four occasions between November 7 and 20. Four cars were destroyed by fire in James Street on November 15, police say.
While each fire was lit under the cover of darkness, Lake Macquarie was enduring periods of high fire danger at the time of the arson attacks, with temperatures reaching 33 degrees and winds gusting at 52km/h, according to police.
Mr Musgrave did not enter any pleas, but applied for bail, with his solicitor, Lauren O'Brien, saying the risks that Mr Musgrave posed to the community could be mitigated by strict bail conditions. Ms O'Brien said Mr Musgrave had made "some admissions" to police about lighting the fires and had told them he "needs help".
She acknowledged the fires were aggravated by the recent weather conditions, but said Mr Musgrave could report daily to police, abide by a curfew and not take illicit drugs, a factor Ms O'Brien said was relevant to the alleged arson attacks.
Magistrate Stephen Olischlager refused the bail application, saying the blazes were lit "in the context" of strong winds and hot temperatures, which created a significant risk of impacting property and lives.
The matter was adjourned for two weeks to see if the DPP will elect to prosecute.
Lake Macquarie police Superintendent Danny Sullivan said information from the community was invaluable when investigating arson.
"Acts of arson at any time of year are extremely dangerous, let alone during the high temperatures we have recently experienced," Superintendent Sullivan said. "The capability of these fires to spread to nearby bushland and cause catastrophe is a real possibility."
