Man to face court over unit fire

A 25-year-old Belconnen man will face the ACT Magistrates Court this morning following a fire at a unit in Belconnen last night (Monday, 21 April).

Around 6.35pm, members from Belconnen Police Station responded to a report of a disturbance in a unit in Howie Court, Belconnen. On arrival they saw a unit on fire.

The fire was extinguished by ACT Fire and Rescue however a number of residents in nearby units had to be evacuated.

Witnesses identified a man as deliberately lighting the fire to the unit which had two people inside at the time. The residents were evacuated with no reported injuries.

The unit sustained fire damage and up to eight units have smoke damage.

Investigations into the fire are continuing.

The 25-year-old man was conveyed to the City Police Station where he was interviewed and subsequently charged with arson. He will face the ACT Magistrates Court later this morning.