A man has been charged after allegedly attacking his male housemate and starting a fire at a home on the northern Gold Coast.

Police say an argument broke out between the pair yesterday afternoon at the residence on Kerkin Road North in Norwell yesterday afternoon.

A 50-year-old man then allegedly wounded the other man with a machete and deliberately lit a fire.

The victim suffered a non-life threatening head injury.

The alleged attacker has been charged with arson and assault occasioning bodily harm and is due to face Southport Magistrates Court today.

The fire caused extensive damage to the property.

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