A man who allegedly murdered three fellow residents in a Sydney boarding house by starting an explosive fire has appeared before court.
The two-storey dilapidated Newtown boarding house was engulfed in flames following an explosion in the early hours of Tuesday, killing at least of 11 residents, according to police.
NSW police are concerned for a fourth man who is yet to be located.
Richard Hotoran, 45, has been charged with three counts of murder and one charge of damaging property by fire or explosion after he surrendered himself to Surry Hills Police Station on Tuesday night.
The Kingsford man, according to court documents, appeared before the Central Local Court on Wednesday where he made no application for bail and it was formally refused.
Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett said that Hotoran was a resident of the boarding house at the time, and was one of the men who police initially feared had perished in the blaze.
"We will be alleging he was there when the fire was set," he told reporters on Wednesday.
Police said they were still trying to locate the owner of the building and were investigating whether an accelerant was used.
"It has been reported that there has been an accelerant used, and we have had that advice given to us and it will form part of the brief of evidence," Chief Supt Bennett told reporters.
Hotoran is next due back in court on May 12.
