Editor's note: A magistrate has suppressed key details in the case on Friday afternoon and the story has been updated to reflect those court orders.
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THE man accused of murdering a woman and a young boy in an horrific fire in Tamworth has been formally denied bail at a bedside hearing in hospital.
The man remained in Tamworth hospital on Friday morning receiving treatment for injuries after Thursday's deadly fire in that claimed two lives.
Local court magistrate Julie Soars travelled to Tamworth hospital to conduct the bedside hearing at 11.30am on Friday, surrounded by a police prosecutor, Corrective Services' officers, detectives investigating the case, as well as court sheriffs.
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The accused was represented by Legal Aid solicitor Wendy McAuliffe and was not required to enter pleas to the charges during the out-of-sessions hearing.
He made no application for bail and it was formally refused by Ms Soars who adjourned the case to December.
The man is charged with two counts of murder after the bodies of a woman was found in a bedroom at the house, and a little boy in a back room, after the fire broke out at 5.30am.
The man was taken to hospital on Thursday after handing himself into officers at Tamworth Police Station.
He is expected to be moved from Tamworth hospital as he recovers from injuries. He is believed to be in a stable condition.
A woman was still listed as critical after suffering burns to much of her body in the housefire which police allege was deliberately lit.
She was clinging to life on Friday morning in a specialist burns unit in a Sydney hospital.
Another young boy was taken to Tamworth hospital where he remained on Thursday night after suffering minor injuries and smoke inhalation from the fire.
It's understood he is surrounded by extended family.
Strike Force Glendare - which is made up of detectives from Oxley, New England and the state's arson squad - is leading the probe into the deadly housefire at the home.
Detectives have confirmed investigations are continuing and have not ruled out further charges.
The man has been excused from attending via video link on his next court date if he is still legally represented and in hospital.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
