A man has been charged following a unit fire on the far north coast yesterday.
About 10.50pm (Thursday 17 March 2022), police attended an address on Boundary Street, Tweed Heads, after reports of a concern for welfare.
Upon arrival, officers attached to Tweed/Byron Police District spoke to a woman before observing a fire in a separate unit.
Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze.
A 23-year-old man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics after sustaining injuries when he jumped from a second-storey balcony.
He was arrested and taken to Tweed Heads Hospital for treatment before being taken to Tweed Heads Police Station.
Up to 20 people were evacuated from the unit block and two neighbouring unit complexes.
Eight police officers were also treated for minor smoke inhalation, with four officers taken to hospital. They have since been released.
There were no other reports of injuries.
The man has been charged with nine offences including destroy or damage property, aggravated break, enter and commit indictable offence, common assault and five counts of destroy or damage property with intention of endangering life.
He was refused bail and will appear at Ballina Local Court today (Friday 18 March 2022).
