A man has been charged after a 25-year-old was allegedly set on fire during a violent attack at a unit block in the Illawarra region overnight.
Emergency services were called to Todd Street in Warrawong about 9pm on Monday following reports of a fire inside a residential complex.
Officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District arrived to find a man suffering serious burn injuries.
Police allege a man forced entry into the unit before setting the 25-year-old alight and fleeing the scene shortly afterwards.
Residents and NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the injured man at the scene before he was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
A crime scene was established as detectives launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Arrest Made in Albion Park
Following extensive inquiries, police arrested a 32-year-old man at a home in Albion Park about 3.15pm on Tuesday.
He was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station and charged with throwing or laying down an explosive with intent to maim or cause grievous bodily harm.
The man was refused bail and is due to appear before Bail Division Court 3 on Wednesday.
Investigators have not yet released details about the alleged motive or whether the men were known to each other.
Similar Fire Attack Cases Across NSW
The alleged attack comes amid several serious burn assault investigations across New South Wales in recent years.
In a separate case that drew national attention, a man in western Sydney was charged in 2024 after another man allegedly suffered critical burns during a domestic-related incident involving an accelerant.
Police and emergency crews have repeatedly warned that fire-related assaults often result in catastrophic injuries, with victims frequently requiring long-term treatment and rehabilitation.
