A man will face court today charged after he allegedly set fire to several cars and bins in the Raymond Terrace area earlier this month.

About 9.15pm on Thursday 12 December 2019, police attended a dance studio on Port Stephens Road following information it was well-alight after fire spread from a burning garbage bin.

The fire was extinguished and the building sustained major damage.

On the evening of Saturday 14 December 2019, two bins were set alight on William Street.

The following evening, (Sunday 15 December 2019), emergency services attended Port Stephens Road, after reports two cars were alight and caused damage to a nearby building.

About 1am on Wednesday 18 December 2019, another vehicle was set alight in the carpark off Sturgeon Street. The fire was extinguished; however, the blaze caused damage to a nearby shed.

Detectives from the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District commenced an investigation.

Following inquiries, an 18-year-old man was arrested in Waratah West yesterday (Monday 30 December 2019).

He was taken to Waratah Police Station, where he was charged with five counts of malicious damage.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 31 December 2019).