A 17-year-old boy has been charged after two alleged fires in Lake Macquarie were followed by a police pursuit through the eastern suburbs.
Emergency services were first called to a fast-food restaurant on Stockland Drive, Glendale, about 10.40pm on Monday, 31 August, after a fire was reported.
Staff had reportedly extinguished a blaze inside the restaurant’s bathroom, as well as a small fire on grass outside the premises.
Just hours later, about 1.40am on Tuesday, 1 September, emergency services were called to a takeaway shop on South Street, Windale.
Police arrived to find two large bins burning behind the business.
Fire and Rescue NSW crews extinguished the blaze, which caused damage to the building.
Police began investigating whether the incidents were connected.
A short time later, officers spotted a Holden Colorado travelling past the Windale scene and attempted to pull the vehicle over.
Police allege the driver failed to stop, prompting a pursuit which continued through Bennetts Green towards Belmont.
The pursuit was later terminated due to the alleged manner of driving.
The 17-year-old was arrested at Belmont Police Station about 6.35am.
He was charged with three counts of damage property by fire or explosion, as well as police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly.
The teenager was refused bail and appeared before a Children’s Court on Tuesday, where bail was again refused.
He is due to face the same court on Monday, 14 September.
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