POLICE have made an arrest after two house fires in Tuson Street, Ararat.
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The latest fire occurred on Wednesday night last week with the other in October.
A police statement said investigators from the Ararat Crime Investigation Unit arrested a 20-year-old Ararat man on Monday as a result of an ongoing investigation into two deliberately lit fires.
“The man was charged with two counts of burglary and two counts of arson before being remanded in custody,” the statement said.
Police also thanked those who had responded to their appeals for information.
Thomas Stefan Hutchinson, of no fixed address, appeared before Stawell Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and was not granted bail.
He will reappear in Stawell Magistrates’ Court on February 5.
Ararat Criminal Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Mal Wineberg said the accused had no connection to the owners of the two houses he allegedly setting alight.
“He is a transient and a drug user and was using the unoccupied houses for shelter and to take drugs,” Det Sen Con Wineberg said.
“He had a fascination with fire. There appears to be no other motive.”
Police arson chemists from Melbourne attended the scene of the fire last week.
Det Sen Con Wineberg said the investigation was ongoing.
“Our job is not over yet. We can always use more witnesses. Anybody who knows anything should contact us.”