A YOUNG man who was dubbed a “hero” after he rescued a grandmother from fire has appeared in court accused of starting the blaze.

Russ Jarvis, of Sycamore Road, Great Cornard, appeared at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates’ Court yesterday after being arrested in relation to a spate of arson attacks in Sudbury and Great Cornard on January 9.

He is charged with four counts of arson, arson which recklessly endangered life and criminal damage.

The 20-year-old appeared in the East Anglian Daily Times only a week ago when he was reunited with the lady whose life he potentially saved when fire broke out in a caravan inches from her home.

Jean Cooper, 72, of Tudor Road, Sudbury, had been fast asleep in bed when the blaze began in the early hours, and was only alerted to it when Jarvis banged on her door.

The grandmother-of-15 and great-grandmother-of-four had thanked her “hero,” who she said could not have done more if he tried. She said he rang the fire brigade, alerted neighbours to the blaze and even gave her his coat.

The fire completely destroyed the caravan and spread to her home.

Jarvis is also accused of setting four wheelie bins on fire and damaging two car tyres that day.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at Ipswich Crown Court on January 27 for a preliminary hearing.

He was refused bail.