The 19-year-old teenager handed himself into investigators at Inverell Police Station on Friday night, following an investigation by police from Strike Force Illingworth.

The operation was set up by New England detectives to investigate a spate of suspicious blazes in the Tingha, and wider Inverell area, last year.

Police said the teen, who they claim is a volunteer firefighter with the Rural Fire Service (RFS), was charged in connection to a bushfire on September 28, near Tingha.

He is facing one count of intentionally causing a fire and being reckless to its spread.

He was granted bail to front court in April.

A spokesperson for the RFS said they were unable to confirm if the teenager was still volunteering with the organisation.

“Due to the matter being before the court, it would be inappropriate to comment,” the spokesperson said.

Strike Force Illingworth is investigating more than 25 grass and bushfires which police suspect were deliberately lit in the Tingha area between August and December, last year.