Arson accused fireman in court

A Wellington volunteer firefighter accused of lighting scrub fires in the city';s southern suburbs has made another court appearance.

Richard Stephens is facing eight counts of arson in relation to blazes in Lyall Bay, Happy Valley, Mornington and Brooklyn earlier in the year.

Wellington's firefighting resources were stretched to near capacity when the fires were lit in April and May. Rough terrain and high winds created hazardous conditions.

Appliances from around the region and helicopters with monsoon buckets were used to fight the fires, the biggest of which destroyed 7000 square metres of vegetation.

Stephens has been remanded to appear in the Wellington District Court on the 3rd of December for a pre-trial hearing.

- NEWSTALK ZB