A drug user who set alight a Wodonga motel room caused more than $66,000 in damage and risked the safety of nearby residents, a court has heard.
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Felicity Meloury, 35, was homeless and under the influence of drugs at the time of the blaze at the Warrina Motor Inn.
She was refused bail over the incident in the Wodonga Magistrates Court on Thursday, which caused $66,392 in damage.
Detective Senior Constable Ray Causer said the lighter had been given to her by Trinity John Carter.
Meloury had been kicked out of the motel room about 2pm on the day before the incident and was told not to return, but did so about 8.30pm.
CCTV cameras captured Meloury again returning moments before the fire, pushing on the door, walking back to a car, followed by a glow coming from the room.
Carter allegedly walked to the room and pushed on the door, with flickering light seen on the footage.
Occupants evacuated four other rooms.
The court heard Carter was arrested at a service station truck shop shower, wearing different clothes, while Meloury was arrested on Ethel Street wearing the same clothes.
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Lawyer Dianne Mitchell successfully argued that the case be heard in the lower court, rather than the County Court, and applied for Meloury's release.
"It is serious offending, but she was under the influence of drugs at the time and she was homeless," she said.
Prosecutor Carmela Pezzimenti argued against bail.
"A number of members of the public were put at risk," she said.
Concerns were also raised about a proposed Ethel Street bail address, with the home linked to drugs and domestic violence.
Meloury will remain in custody with the case to return for plea on February 24.
