Pilbara man denied bail for allegedly setting own car on fire after neighbour fight

A Marble Bar man who allegedly set his own car on fire after an argument with a neighbour was refused bail following a defence appeal to let the man return home to his wife last week. Paul Edward Stream, 41, appeared in South Hedland Magistrate’s Court via video link from Roebourne prison last Wednesday charged with failing to reasonably ensure that a fire or ignition source did or would not cause a fire that could not be controlled. About 7pm on April 28, Mr Stream was drinking with his neighbour at his Marble Bar address when they got into a verbal argument. Mr Stream proceeded to return to his house, allegedly retrieving a piece of cardboard and setting it alight before throwing it on to the driver’s seat of his car. The tail lights of the neighbour’s car, which was positioned about 50cm from Mr Stream’s vehicle, were melted as a result of the “fast-burning” fire, which also scalded parts of Mr Stream’s house. Police arrived at the scene, having seen the developing blaze from a nearby property, and tried to put the fire out. Mr Stream allegedly fled the scene but was later arrested. In a statement to police Mr Stream said “I have told them I was going to burn that car of mine”. Magistrate Gavin MacLean said he didn’t understand why the man would allegedly set his car alight and that he wasn’t satisfied the community would be safe upon his release . His bail was formally refused. Mr Stream is expected to appear in South Hedland Magistrate’s Court next Wednesday.