Man to face bank fire trial

A man accused of setting fire to Springvale’s Commonwealth Bank branch last year, in which more than 25 people were hurt, has been committed to stand trial after pleading not guilty to intentionally causing the injuries.
Nur Islam, 22, appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 19 September over the incident on 18 November last year.
He faces a total of 108 charges including arson and property damage by fire.
Police allege the Rohingya asylum seeker from Myanmar set himself on fire inside the bank and injured customers and staff when the fire spread.
Mr Islam’s lawyer told the hearing that his client did not dispute lighting the fire but said that he did not intend to injure anyone.
He was remanded in custody.