He was arrested at a Murray St home in Tocumwal about 2pm last Wednesday, just nine hours after emergency services were called to a blaze in Finley St.
The 46 year-old was found following an investigation by Deniliquin detectives, and charged with damage/destroy property by fire.
He was refused bail to appear at Albury Local Court on Thursday, where he was again bail refused.
He is scheduled to appear in Albury Local Court today.
Emergency services were called to the Finley St house fire at 5am last Wednesday.
Despite early concerns the tenant might be inside the home, it was later confirmed no-one was at home.
Firefighters from the Tocumwal and Finley NSW Fire + Rescue stations fought the blaze.
Tocumwal Captain Ian Desailly said while ferocious, firefighters had the blaze under control quickly and completely extinguished in an hour.
“We received the call about 5.20am, and we on scene within eight minutes,” Capt Desailly said.
“The front part of the house was already fully engulfed and part of the ceiling had fallen in.
“Crews with breathing apparatus went to work and had the fire under control within 12 minutes. It was then completely blacked out within an hour.
“We had 10 firefighters on scene, between the two brigades.”
Capt Desailly said because of the location of the home on a corner block, no other structures were at risk of burning.
But he said early suggestions a person may still be inside the home did create concern for the firefighters.
“It was too dangerous to enter the home because of a potential full roof collapse, so once we had the fire extinguished, we did an external search.
“When it was realised no-one was inside the home, it was handed back to police and the home’s owners.”
Officers attached to the Murray River Police District were quick to determine the fire was “suspicious” and established a crime scene.
Anyone with CCTV or information is urged to come forward and contact Albury Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
While the fire had been determined to have been deliberately lit, Capt Desailly said the house fire serves as a reminder to make sure you have working smoke alarms in our home.
Anyone requiring assistance in installing fire alarms can contact their local NSW Fire + Rescue station and book a fire safety assessment.
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