By SAM MCKEITH FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS and NICHOLAS WILSON, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA
A man has been charged with an arson offence after the scorched body of a 77-year-old woman was found in the lounge room of her home following a unit fire.
The 77-year-old woman's body was found inside her burnt-out single-storey unit on Melissa Close in Bateau Bay on the NSW Central Coast about 9.30pm on Sunday.
Authorities believe a fire may have blazed at the unit for several hours before the body, which has yet to be formally identified, was found inside the lounge room.
On Monday evening, police said a 26-year-old man had been charged with damaging a property by fire/explosion more than $15000 (DV) in relation to the fire.
It followed an earlier announcement a 26-year-old man, believed to be known to the woman, had been arrested at Chittaway on Sunday afternoon an outstanding warrant for an unrelated domestic violence-related offence.
He was taken to Wyong Police Station and charged with the warrant before being charged over the alleged arson.
Police earlier established a strike force of local and homicide squad detectives to investigate and could not confirm whether the woman died as a result of the fire.
'It's absolutely tragic, a 77-year-old female in her own home, dying inside her own unit through a fire,' Tuggerah Lakes Police District Commander, Detective Superintendent Chad Gillies said.
The body of an elderly woman was found inside her burnt Bateau Bay house on Sunday
Police have established a crime scene at the Central Coast home where inquiries are ongoing
He added a member of the public handed an item located nearby at Joseph Banks Oval into police.
'This item has been taken for further examination; however, I am appealing for anyone who saw any suspicious activity on the oval between 9pm Saturday (23 August 2025) and 9pm Sunday (24 August 2025), to contact Wyong Police,' Superintendent Gillies said.
'We are also keen to speak with anyone who saw any activity around the home unit on Melissa Close between the same hours.'
Police said initial investigations suggested the woman suffered severe burns but a post-mortem examination would confirm her cause of death and identity.
The fire, which was contained to the unit, had largely burnt out by the time emergency crews arrived.
'It's not common, but it's not unheard of, that a fire can ignite in a home, be pent-up, literally burn out all the oxygen, and just smoulder and then self-extinguish,' Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said.
A crime scene was established and investigations remain ongoing, with specialist Scene of Crime officers and Fire Investigators examining the unit.
'We are also keen to speak with anyone who saw any activity around the home unit on Melissa Close between the same hours,' Superintendent Gillies said.
'Anyone with information they believe can assist is urged to contact Wyong Police or Crime Stoppers.'
The 26-year-old has been refused bail to appear in Bail Division Local Court 6 on Tuesday.