Craig Tamlan Lambkin, 26, of Weston, appeared in court in a blue forensic jumpsuit on Wednesday charged with intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread, stemming from a blaze that raged in bushland between the Kurri Kurri cemetery and a public swimming pool on Tuesday. 

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail.

According to a statement of police facts, two witnesses saw a small amount of black smoke coming from bushland behind the Kurri Kurri Aquatic Centre about 11.25am.

Within seconds the pair saw large flames, which quickly engulfed several trees, and a man riding towards them on a black bicycle, police facts state.

The man rode past, a lit cigarette perched in the corner of his mouth, and shot the pair a “cheeky grin”, court documents state.

The two witnesses told police they called triple-zero and the aquatic centre to report the fire, before one of them took off after the man on the bike, following him in a car from Kurri Kurri into Weston and eventually Fifth Street.

Police arrested Mr Lambkin in his front yard and allegedly found a black cigarette lighter and a mobile phone in his pocket, the court heard.

He was taken to Maitland police station where he initially told police he hadn’t crossed the bridge into Kurri Kurri at all on Tuesday.

After being informed of CCTV cameras at the aquatic centre, Mr Lambkin allegedly said “I f---ed up”, telling police he had gone into Kurri Kurri to visit a cemetery and had ridden home through bushland.

Police said Mr Lambkin could not explain why he went the long way home. 

He told police he was about 30 metres from the aquatic centre when he “threw a lit cigarette on the ground”, police facts state, causing the bushfire to ignite.

He then “panicked” and rode home, without stopping to tell people at the aquatic centre or calling triple-zero on his mobile phone, court documents state.  

He denied intentionally lighting the fire. 

But police prosecutor Sergeant Wally Ball said Mr Lambkin’s version didn’t fit with what detectives had uncovered at the scene. 

“Investigators have found at least three ignition points,” Sergeant Ball said. 

“A further ignition point has been identified today.”

Sergeant Ball conceded Mr Lambkin had no prior criminal record, but submitted that the nature of the offence was so serious he should be refused bail.

“There was an extremely high danger to the community,” Sergeant Ball said.

“The nature of the offending, in my submission, is calculated.

“It’s an extremely hot day, high winds and the chosen location was close to or at the rear of a public amenity that was well patronised at that stage by families, children and other people.

“The danger was incredible.

“The fact that there was no loss of life and no loss of property at this stage can only be attributed to the efforts of the emergency services.”

The fire threatened several homes at Kurri Kurri and Pelaw Main and forced the evacuation of several residents and people at the aquatic centre, police facts state. 

Sergeant Ball said there were no conditions that could mitigate the risk of Mr Lambkin lighting further fires.

Magistrate Chicken agreed, suggesting only the possibility of house arrest, where Mr Lambkin would be monitored 24/7, as a way to release him.

"He threw a lit cigarette in bushland in 40 degree heat in the middle of a heatwave where bush has been dried to a crisp that has to be at least reckless,” Mr Chicken said.

“It seems to me that as night follows day he is guilty of the statutory alternative to this offence.”

Ultimately, he refused the 26-year-old bail. 

The matter was adjourned to February 27 at Maitland Local Court.

Mr Lambkin has not entered a plea.