By Andrew Starke
Police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command have charged a man after a fire was allegedly deliberately set in the roof of a Byron Bay nightclub yesterday morning.
The incident occurred about 2.30am when staff heard noises from the rear of the building.
A security guard investigated and discovered the roof of the Jonson Street building alight.
Patrons were evacuated and staff used a fire hose to extinguish the blaze.
Police were called and examined the scene, seizing the remnants of a spray can of fluorescent green paint which appeared to have exploded.
Shortly after police were called to Byron Bay Hospital when a 31-year-old man – whose skin and clothes were marked by fluorescent green paint – walked into the emergency department seeking treatment for burns.
The man, from New Brighton, has been charged with destroying/damage property with intent to endanger life, and destroy or damage property.
He was refused bail and is due to appear in Lismore Local Court later today.