Police investigating suspected arson at Geraldton’s Department of Communities building on Marine Terrace

A 51-year-old man was charged after allegedly going into a government housing agency in Geraldton’s CBD with a jerry can of fuel, splashing it around and sparking a fire in front of staff. Emergency services were called to the Department of Communities’ Geraldton Housing Office in Marine Terrace’s West End just before 2pm over the fire in the ground floor foyer on Thursday. Local fire crews attended and extinguished the fire within about half an hour while police cordoned off the area. On Friday, police said: “It will be alleged about 1.55pm, the man entered the office with a jerry can containing fuel which he splashed on the front counter of the office before setting it alight. “Staff in the office area were uninjured, and no members of the public were present. “The man allegedly fled the area in a vehicle and was apprehended by police about 4.15pm in Moonyoonnooka.” Mid West Gascoyne Inspector Jon Munday said the fire was “rapidly” started following a “short interaction” between a man and staff. Police confirmed a 51-year-old Beachlands man had been charged with criminal damage by fire and with intent to harm unlawfully did an act resulting from which a person’s life, health or safety was likely to be endangered. He is due to appear in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Friday. The man was tracked down in Moonyoonooka and arrested with the help of a new high-tech police helicopter which happened to be in Geraldton, visiting for community and school engagement events. “They were the ones who located the vehicle and were able to direct police to his location, and he was arrested without incident,” Insp Munday said. People from inside the building and nearby businesses all evacuated safely. Windows exploded, and black smoke was seen billowing from the building. A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson said the blaze started in the front section of the building and was “contained to a few rooms”. Insp Munday said police were still trying to figure out the motive and how the fire was started. He said arson squad officers were due to arrive in Geraldton on Friday and would thoroughly investigate the building. “It’s indicative that something was used to start the fire, but we don’t know what at this point, and that’s what the arson squad will tell us tomorrow,” he said late Thursday. “The important thing is no one was hurt, and we have the man in custody and the community of Geraldton have nothing to worry about. There is nobody else we are looking for.” Insp Munday said police were still trying to “join all the dots” and confirm the man’s connection to the Housing Office. It appears he was alone, and police confirmed there was “extensive CCTV of the area”. A Department of Communities spokesperson said the incident at its Geraldton Housing Office had left staff in “shock and distress”. “All staff and visitors have been evacuated, and the office has been closed,” they said. “Importantly, Communities can confirm all team members have been safely accounted for. Police and emergency services were immediately contacted and attended the scene. “This incident has caused shock and distress for team members, and Communities is providing immediate support and assistance to prioritise their wellbeing.” Witnesses told the Geraldton Guardian someone had intentionally entered the building and lit the fire. They say it’s the fourth building in the West End strip to be set on fire in the past five years. It is the latest high-profile fire in Marine Terrace’s West End in recent years. A deliberately lit blaze engulfed the Mercantile Club in September last year, causing $750,000 in damages. In February 2021, a fire ripped through the historic Old Vic Hotel, which led to the 159-year-hotel needing to be demolished, which was a case of arson. While just three weeks earlier, on January 25, 2021, an arson incident about 50m away on the same street caused up to $100,000 in damage to the heritage-listed Radio Theatre Building.