DFES and police attend Batavia Motor Inne fire after concern for rough sleepers squatting at the derelict site

A fire broke out at the derelict Batavia Motor Inne on Saturday, causing further damage to the rundown building known to house rough sleepers and itinerants in Geraldton. Department of Fire and Emergency Services received a call at 12.21pm regarding smoke bellowing out of the two-storey building. The fire was located inside on the second floor of the Fitzgerald Street building. A DFES spokesperson said two crews from Geraldton Fire Rescue Service and Volunteer Fire Services attended the scene and brought the blaze under control by 12.34pm. DFES confirmed no one was inside the building at the time. “WA Police were in attendance and handled it from there,” the spokesperson said. It is unclear how the fire began at this stage. DFES said smoke damage occurred at the site. Geraldton police officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Chris Martin said police arrived about 12.46pm and were unable to identify any criminality. “Police located a fire in a small scrap area in the rear of the abandoned hotel. The only damage was air-conditioning units that were already damaged,” he said. Sen. Sgt Martin said inquiries were ongoing and urged those who witnessed scrub or bush fires, particularly in the CBD area, to contact emergency services immediately. “The lighting of any fires are particularly dangerous, especially inside a structure that’s used for accommodation purposes. As a result an investigation is being conducted,” he said. Owners of the Batavia Motor Inne have flagged they will bulldoze the eyesore after the City of Greater Geraldton threatened to take legal action, but a date is yet to be set.