This is what a Canberra woman allegedly said only months before her public housing home in Mawson went up in flames.

Investigations into the June 7 blaze revealed the fire had been intentionally lit using petrol.

Priscilla-Lee Wieland appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with the arson.

Documents tendered in court said firefighters were called to the blaze in Mawson about 12.18pm.

Firefighters extinguished the fire within two hours, and reported finding a fuel container on the front step, with spots fire in a number of rooms and multiple ignition sources.

Analysis of carpet samples taken from the property revealed the presence of petrol.

Court documents said the damage bill from the fire totalled $256,970.

Police arrested Ms Wieland, who claimed to know nothing about the fire, saying she had been told about the blaze by friends, court documents said.

However, analysis of shoes and clothing seized from the defendant allegedly identified the presence of evaporated petrol.

Police decided to conduct further inquiries before laying charges, however, Ms Wieland allegedly skipped bail and was not located by authorities until October 10.

Court documents said inquiries with ACT Housing revealed Ms Wieland – who had been the sole tenant of the property for about eight years - owed more than $10,000 in rent and steps had been taken to evict her.

A man allegedly told police the defendant had threatened to torch the property and go to rehabilitation in March during a conversation about her drug use, the court heard.

Special Magistrate Margaret Hunter refused bail on the grounds Ms Wieland had recently failed to comply with court orders and, therefore, posed a risk of reoffending.

Ms Hunter noted that the defendant faced a serious charge and it appeared to be a strong prosecution case.

Ms Wieland was remanded in custody to reappear before the court next month.