Published Saturday, 04 February 2012
Ian Charles Edgar, 58, from Sandyknowes Park in Newtownabbey was remanded into custody on Saturday at Belfast Magistrates Court charged over the blaze, which broke out in the early hours of Friday morning.
He had no solicitor to argue against police fears that he was a danger to himself and his wife Mary Geraldine Farry.
Edgar is charged with arson intending or being reckless as to whether damage would be caused to the home he shares with his wife.
Both Edgar and his 61-year-old wife managed to flee but she braved the flames again to save her dog.
However Ms Farry became trapped and both her and her pet had to be rescued by the Fire Service who found her unconscious in an upstairs bedroom.
It's clear from legal papers in the case that initially, police had charged Edgar with the more serious offence of arson endangering life but that has been reviewed by the PPS.
After caution Edgar told cops: "As I can say it was an accident. It was my own stupid fault for having a cigarette near it."
A constable told the court she believed she could connect Edgar to the charge and told District Judge Bernadette Kelly the police were objecting to bail amid fears that he would try to interfere with the witness, his wife.
She also revealed there was a "history of domestic violence" dating back to 2003 and evidence that Edgar had previously tried to commit suicide three times, including one incident where he set fire to his own leg.
Judge Kelly adjourned the case until Monday when Edgar will appear again via videolink.