A man will face court tomorrow after allegedly starting a fire in bushland near Lake Macquarie this afternoon.

About 4.50pm (Friday 31 July 2015), police and emergency services were called to the Pacific Highway, Jewells, following reports of a fire.

Police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command were told local residents were able to extinguish two small blazes and detain a man, who they’d caught allegedly lighting the fires.

The 61-year-old man was arrested and taken to Charlestown Police Station and charged with two counts of intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread.

He has been refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Saturday 1 August 2015).