A man has been charged following a house fire in East Maitland this morning.
About 5.30am (Sunday 9 October 2022), emergency services were called to Lawes Street following reports of a house fire.
Fire and Rescue NSW officers extinguished the blaze a short time later; however, the home was significantly damaged.
A 28-year-old man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene for smoke inhalation and minor burns, before being taken to Maitland Hospital in a stable condition.
Officers from Port Stephens Hunter Police District attended and established a crime scene.
Following a search of the premises, the bodies of two cats – who were in the home at the time of the incident – were located.
Detectives commenced investigations into the incident and, following inquiries, a 44-year-old man was arrested on Raymond Terrace Road, Millers Forest.
He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with damage property by fire/explosion >$1500 and breach bail.
He was refused bail and will appear at Maitland Local Court tomorrow (Monday 10 October 2022).