Two men have been charged following a unit fire on Sutton Street in Cootamundra.
At 2.25am on September 11, emergency services were called to a unit block on Sutton Street, near Mackay Street in Cootamundra following reports of a fire.
Officers attached to Riverina Police District attended a found the unit on fire and were able to evacuate nearby residents.
Fire and Rescue NSW worked hard to contain and extinguish the blaze.
NSW Ambulance paramedics were on scene to attend to and treat a number of people who were suffering from smoke inhalation.
A crime scene was shortly established, and police commenced an investigation.
Following inquiries, police allege a utility vehicle that was parked at the back of the unit was damaged and had had its tyres stolen.
At 11.00 that same day, investigators attended an address in Cootamundra and spoke to an 18-year-old man.
A search was conducted at the home and police allegedly found and seized two wheels and wheel nuts that are understood to have been linked to the incident.
A secondary crime scene was established.
During a conversation exchange between police and the 18-year-old man, another man (aged 20 years old) arrived.
Both men were arrested on the spot and were taken to the Cootamundra Police Station, where they were both charged with larceny value less than $2000, destroy/damage property in company greater than $5000. The 20-year-old man was charged with an additional offence of damage property by fire/exp greater than $15,000.
The 18-year-old man was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 5 on Saturday, 12 September, and the 20-year-old man was granted conditional bail to appear before Cootamundra Local Court on Monday, 21 September.
No known injuries or ongoing complications have been reported following the fire.
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