A man has appeared before the courts charged with arson following a flats fire in Chippenham on Saturday.

Appearing before the court via video link, James Parker, 37, of Queens Square, Chippenham, entered no pleas to two charges of arson being reckless as to whether others’ lives were endangered.

Police had been called to a fire at a first floor flat in Queen’s Square on Saturday, August 8, at around 5.30pm.

Three fire crews attended from Chippenham, Corsham and Malmesbury fire stations, and four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hoses to put out the fire.

The firefighters made sure that the property and surrounding properties were safe and the fire extinguished.

The second arson charge is dated June 2, when Parker is said to have burned a woman’s clothes.

He also faces allegations of criminal damage and assaulting a woman.

He was remanded in custody to appear before Swindon Crown Court on September 11 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.