A man will appear in court today charged after being extradited from Queensland in relation to a suspicious unit fire at Surry Hills last month.
About 3.30am on Sunday 7 April 2024, emergency services were called to a unit block on Devonshire Street, Surry Hills, following reports of a fire.
Officers attached to Surry Hills Police Area Command arrived to find a second-floor unit alight.
Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the fire before it could spread to neighbouring units.
Two people – a 39-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man - were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for serious burns to their bodies before they were taken to hospital. The woman remains in hospital while the man has since been released; however, continues to receive ongoing treatment.
A second woman, also aged 39, was also hospitalised after suffering burns to her legs; however, has since been released.
Police established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the deliberately lit fire under Strike Force Wyomee.
As part of ongoing inquiries, a 32-year-old man was arrested in Brisbane with the assistance of Queensland Police, about 9.30am yesterday (Wednesday 22 May 2024).
He appeared at Brisbane Magistrates Court where Surry Hills detectives applied for his extradition, which was subsequently granted.
He was escorted to Sydney and taken to Mascot Police Station where the outstanding warrant was executed, and he was charged with destroy/damage building by fire with intent to murder.
The Surry Hills man was refused bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court today (Thursday 23 May 2024).
As inquiries under Strike Force Wyomee continue, anyone with information into the incident is urged to call Surry Hills Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
