Trainee fireman charged over Sydney blazes

The fires last holiday season were the most devastating in Sydney's history

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- A trainee fire-fighter is facing 16 charges of lighting fires which contributed to the devastating blazes which engulfed Sydney for more than two weeks over the last Christmas and New Year period.

The 20-year-old unemployed man was arrested on Sunday by officers of the New South Wales state bushfire task force.

The Penrith Local Court heard on Monday that Peter Cameron Burgess had been training as a fire officer with the Wyong Rural Fire Brigade, but failed to complete his training.

The man did not enter a plea to the charges and was remanded without bail until his next appearance in June.

The magistrate ordered he undergo a psychiatric assessment.

At one stage more than 70 fires were burning out of control in and around Sydney -- Australia's largest city and chief commercial center.

While no lives were lost in the inferno, they were the most devastating in the state's history with nearly 6,000 square kilometers (4,000 square miles) of land burnt and 170 properties destroyed.

More than 48,000 fire fighters were required to battle the fires and protect lives and property.