Volunteer firefighter charged with lighting bushfires

Strike force detectives attended a home in Aberglasslyn at 8.20am on Wednesday and arrested an 18-year-old man.

Police allege he deliberately lit fires in grassland at Weston, Pelaw Main, Bellbird, Greta, Aberglasslyn, Melville, and Cessnock, on several occasions in July and August.

It is further alleged he later attended some of the fires as a Rural Fire Service volunteer and assisted in extinguishing the blazes.

The man has been charged with 15 offences, including 13 counts of intentionally causing a fire and being reckless as to its spread, and two counts of destroying property using fire.

He was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court on Thursday.