The gusts of Townsville’s historic Great Northern Hotel have been saved from potential disaster after an off-duty police officer raised the alarm and alerted management to a fire that had been set at the rear of the venue.

As the Brisbane Times reports, an unnamed 19-year-old allegedly set fire to the 115-year-old venue at about 5.20am on Friday. The man has now been accused of lighting several other fires in the Townsville CBD, all lit on Friday.

Senior Sergeant Chris Hicks said the eagle-eyed officer was on his way to work when he saw the fire and alerted management. “At the time of the morning that the fire was started… there was approximately 12 or 15 residents upstairs asleep. It could have been catastrophic,” he said.

“All the people that were evacuated have been given support and are being looked after at this stage.” Meanwhile, the rear of the hotel sustained serious damage, with forensic investigators remaining at the scene all of Friday.

The alleged offender had reportedly been staying at the hotel for three weeks and was arrested at the scene by the officer who spotted the fire without incident. According to the Townsville Bulletin, the charges laid against the 19-year-old have been referred to the Mental Health Court.

“We’re reviewing CCTV footage of the CBD at this stage to try and ascertain if these fires are related to this offender,” Senior Sergeant Hicks said. “There’s a vehicle fire and damage to buildings and bins that were lit up.”

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Townsville Magistrates Court was told the man had several other matters before the Mental Health Court and his affairs were being managed by the Adult Guardian. Solicitor Helen Armitage told the Townsville Bulletin she would not make a bail application until suitable accommodation could be found for the man.

The man allegedly lit other fires in industrial bins and at a tyre business. However, it was the fire set at the Great Northern that Senior Sergeant Hicks said could have been “catastrophic”, similar to a fire that killed 15 people in Childers in 2000.

The man has since been charged with seven counts of wilful damage, two counts of arson, one count of endangering a property by fire, and possession of a knife. He was remanded in custody and the matter will be heard again on 3rd June.

Before he was led away, the man reportedly asked Magistrate Steven Mosch if he could have his last cigarette with his mother, who was in the gallery. “That’s a matter for police,” the magistrate replied.