Man charged over suspicious Sydney fire

A man arrested at the scene of a suspicious fire in a block of flats in Sydney's inner west has been charged with recklessly damaging property and intimidation.

Houses and units were evacuated as a precaution when firefighters arrived to find a ground floor unit well alight in Balmain.

No one was injured in the blaze at the three-storey unit block on Elliot Street about 7.20pm on Wednesday, authorities said.

A 49-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Surry Hills police station where he was later charged with recklessly damaging property, and intimidation.

He was refused bail to appear at Central local Court on Thursday.