A man will face court today charged following an alleged assault and deliberately lit fire in the Illawarra region yesterday.
About 12pm (Monday 13 May 2024), emergency services were called to a unit on Crown Street, West Wollongong, following reports of an assault.
Officers attached to Wollongong Police District were told a 56-year-old man was allegedly assaulted by a neighbour.
NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the man for facial injuries before he was taken to Wollongong Hospital in a stable condition.
Following inquiries, police returned to the unit complex to speak with a man in a neighbouring unit; however, found the premises well alight.
Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the fire; however, the unit was destroyed.
A 40-year-old man who was inside the unit managed to escape and was arrested.
He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Wollongong Hospital for assessment.
Upon his release from hospital, he was taken to Wollongong Police Station and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, damage property by fire / explosion, and hinder or resist police officer in execution of duty.
He was refused bail to appear before Wollongong Local Court today (Tuesday 14 May 2024).
