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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Anna Falkenmire

Arson detectives charge woman after Pilates studios erupt in flames

Detectives have arrested a woman amid an investigation into two back-to-back fires that erupted at Pilates studios on the Central Coast.

Emergency services were called to a business on The Entrance Road at Erina about 4.30am on January 21 after reports it was alight.

About 45 minutes later, emergency services were called to a Pilates business on Enterprise Drive at Berkeley Vale, after reports of a second fire.

Fire and Rescue NSW crews were deployed and extinguished both fires, though police said the two businesses had suffered significant damage. No injuries were reported.

A short time later, emergency services discovered a burnt-out sedan on Cobbs Road at Mardi.

Central Coast police set up crime scenes at the two Pilates locations. The investigation was taken over by the State Crime Command's Financial Crimes Squad's arson unit.

Police investigating under Strike Force Fredonia arrested a 38-year-old woman, Ailie Faith Wilkins, at Kemps Creek about 9am on Thursday, July 2.

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Arson detectives took her to Penrith Police Station and charged her with two counts of aggravated break and enter in company, and two counts of larceny.

She was refused bail to face court today, where she was granted conditional release, including to report daily to police and not to contact any co-accused. Wilkins will return to Gosford court in August.

Police said Strike Force Fredonia inquiries are continuing.

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