UPDATED, MAY 9, 3PM: Police have charged a 34-year-old Caloundra West man following a house fire at Wurtulla.
A home in Baroona Street was extensively damaged in a fire reported just after 6am yesterday.
Police patrolled the area and found the man in a car a short distance from the house. They also found a bag in the car allegedly containing three firearms, two of which were loaded.
He was taken into custody while police continued their investigation.
The man has been charged with three counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, one count each of enter a dwelling with intent and commit, possessing explosives, and driving without due care and attention.
Police allege the man and three people who were in the house – a man, woman and child – were all known to each other.
The occupants of the house escaped unharmed.
Initial investigations indicate the fire started in the driveway and spread to a vehicle, which was destroyed, before spreading to the house.
Speaking to police yesterday, Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Duhig said a witness had seen a person in the carport area where the fire was lit.
Six fire crews were called the blaze at the single-storey brick home, which was well involved when firefighters arrived. Neighbours were evacuated due to smoke.
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