Firefighter charged over Sydney fires

The fires raged for more than two weeks

A man training to be a firefighter has appeared in court charged with lighting 17 blazes during Australia's bush fire crisis over Christmas and the New Year.

Peter Cameron Burgess, 20, was charged with arson over fires started at the foot of the Blue Mountains, 90 kilometres (55 miles) west of Sydney, and on the coast of New South Wales state.

More than 100 homes were destroyed and more than half a million hectares of forest and farmland devastated by about 100 bush fires that blazed across the state.

Thousands of animals were caught in the flames

The fires were described as the worst in Australia's history.

Mr Burgess, who lives near the Blue Mountains, about 80km (50 miles) west of Sydney in the town of Penrith, appeared in the local court on Monday. He was not required to enter a plea.

He did not apply for bail, and is being held in custody.

The judge ordered a psychiatric assessment of Mr Burgess before his next court appearance on 3 June.

Mr Burgess was a trainee firefighter during the bush fire crisis, said New South Wales state Rural Fire Service spokesman Cameron Wade.

At the height of the crisis about 15,000 mainly volunteer firefighters helped tackle fire fronts stretching for hundreds of kilometres.

Officials say more than half the fires were deliberately lit, many by bored teenagers on school holidays.

No-one died during the disaster.