A man accused of lighting a blaze which threatened scores of his neighbours' properties on Tuesday has also been grilled over similar blazes which have been sparked within a few hundred metres of his home.
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The 26-year-old man, from Weston in the Hunter Valley, was arrested near the scene of the latest blaze at Kurri Kurri after police and firefighters raced there around 11.30am.
Police allege it is the third fire to be deliberately-lit during extreme weather conditions in Kurri Kurri bushland in less than a week.
As two dozen fire crews – along with the welcome aerial attack from planes and helicopters – arrived again to push back the flames from properties, the suspect was driven to Maitland police station and interviewed.
He was charged on Tuesday night with one count of intentionally causing a fire and being reckless to its spread in relation to the latest blaze, and was refused bail to appear in court on Wednesday.
Detectives are continuing intense investigations into other nearby arson attacks at Loxford and Chinaman's Hollow last week, as well as a massive blaze which threatened Abermain last month.
John Sams, a former firefighter with a decade of experience, said Tuesday's fire was "up there with the worst" he had seen.
Mr Sams rushed to his friend's Boundary Street home after news of the fire broke, to help her protect the property. The blaze reached within 15 metres of the home, consuming bushland across the road.
"Flames were almost as tall as the trees," Mr Sams said.
"We couldn't do much, just run back here with the hose. We had some wood chips catch alight in the back from ember attack. The ember attacks are pretty bad.
"It was fast moving, high flames, it was right up there. Thank god for the water bombers.
"These people lighting these fires, it's ridiculous. Enough is enough, there's too much life and property."
Emergency services were called to Boundary Road and Lang Street in the early afternoon after residents reported the thick plumes of smoke coming from adjacent bushland.
The flames came despite a significant operation by Central Hunter police and fire crews on Tuesday, who used helicopters, patrol cars and fire trucks to patrol areas suspected of being possible targets for arsonists.
The agencies were concerned firebugs would use the 40-degree temperatures and gusty winds to light a significant fire.
When another fire emergency struck at Camberwell late on Tuesday morning, resources were rushed to the grass fire between Singleton and Muswellbrook.
Quick work from ground crews and an aerial assault using water and fire retardant was able to save the small township of Camberwell, with only two old sheds lost to the flames.
But as they were mopping up, the Kurri Kurri fire ignited.
Fairfax Media understands the suspect was seen walking behind the Kurri Kurri Aquatic and Fitness Centre as the plumes of smoke rose from the bushland behind him.
A resident followed him and called police before officers arrived and made the arrest.
Operational officer Leanne Bell, of Lower Hunter RFS, said more than 100 RFS volunteers in 13 crews were joined by 10 Fire and Rescue NSW trucks and one from the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
