Man allegedly crashes ute and sets Aldershot home on fire
Police say a man crashed into an Aldershot home before setting it alight. (ABC Wide Bay: Lucy Loram)
A 32-year-old man has been charged with arson over a house fire on Queensland's Fraser Coast.
Police say the man crashed a ute into an Aldershot home and deliberately set the house on fire.
His court matter has been adjourned until Thursday.
A man has been charged with arson after allegedly crashing a ute into a home and deliberatelysetting the house on fire on Queensland's Fraser Coast.
Police allege Arthur Bruce More, 32, crashed the vehicle into a Sapphire Street home in Aldershot, north of Maryborough, about 3pm on Monday afternoon.
The house was severely damaged and Mr More was taken to hospital with minor burns.
No-one was home at the time.
Marjorie Triffitt was at home when the incident happened in her street.
Marjorie Triffitt says Aldershot is normally quiet and peaceful. (ABC Wide Bay: Lucy Loram)
Ms Triffitt has lived in Aldershot for eightyears and said the town was normally a "lovely, peaceful place".
"It was a bit scary because the first explosion was very loud," she said.
"It actually rattled the house a bit.
"Then I saw the flames … they were huge."
Ms Triffitt said it took a long time for fire crews to extinguish the blaze.
"The smoke was unbelievable. Big thick black clouds that were way up over the neighbours' houses," she said.
Mr More has been charged with arson and dangerous operation of a vehicle.
The house has been severely damaged in the fire. (ABC Wide Bay: Lucy Loram)
He didn't appear when his matter was mentioned in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The court heard Mr More will remain in hospital for two more days.
Magistrate Trinity McGarvie adjourned the case to January 23, when Mr More will be required to appear via videolink.
There was no application for bail and Mr More was remanded in custody.
Investigations are continuing and police are urging anyone with information to contact them.
