Man accused of charging at police with chainsaw after lighting house fire

Andrew Cortling did not make an application for bail this afternoon during his brief appearance at the Melbourne Magistrates Court.

The 29-year-old appeared lethargic and dazed having been discharged from hospital after his dramatic arrest last night at Heatherbrae Avenue in Caulfield.

Mr Cortling is accused of charging at police with a chainsaw after setting fire to his family home around 10.30pm.

It’s understood an argument between Mr Cortling and his mother and brother spiralled out of control.

After threatening his family with a bat the man allegedly poured accelerant over the 90-year-old home, before running into the backyard and attempting to load two handguns.

When police arrived and confronted him, it’s alleged he ran towards them with the electric tool but it was not plugged in.

The fire killed Cortling’s beloved Jack Russell and he sustained minor burns to his body but no one else was hurt during the ordeal.

“The home sustained significant damage to the front room, roof space and hallway,” Brett Crowcher from the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) told 9NEWS this morning.

He was not in a state to be interviewed by police last night, but this morning was charged with a number of offences including make threats to kill, make threats to destroy property, make threats to inflict serious injury and criminal damage by fire.

Mr Cortling will re-appear via video link on November 30.