A Bomaderry man has been refused bail in Wollongong Local Court on a charge of murder amid allegations he lit a fatal fire inside his neighbour's house on Friday evening.
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Harley Thompson, aged 26, chose to remain in the holding cells at Nowra Police Station on Sunday morning and did not appear on screen via videolink in court during a brief mention of his case.
Thompson's lawyer said his client would not be making an application for bail and sought to have the case stood over to Monday.
Registrar Peter Ritchie formally refused bail and listed the matter for mention in Nowra Local Court.
Police have said emergency services were called to the Leonard Street property just after 10.30pm on Friday with reports of a break-in and a house fire.
Fire and Rescue NSW managed to extinguish the blaze, which had destroyed the home and a nearby vehicle.
The homeowner, who Nine News has identified as 49-year-old Cameron Johnston, was subsequently pulled from house the unconscious.
Despite CPR attempts by paramedics, Mr Johnson died at the scene.
A second man, believed to Mr Johnson's 18-year-old son, was able to flee the home and escaped without injury.
A crime scene was established and specialist forensic police were bought in to examine what remains of the house.
Strike Force Berep was established by local detectives, with assistance from the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad and Arson Unit, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Officers arrested Thompson about 12.30 on Saturday afternoon.
He was taken to Nowra Police Station and charged with murder and three counts of destroy or damage property.
Police will allege in court that Thompson smashed one of the home's windows, before pouring petrol inside and setting it alight.
Meanwhile, a neighbour who arrived at the property on Sunday appeared visibly upset but declined to comment when approached by the Mercury.