Man charged over fire that caused more than $800,000 in damage to two local businesses

A 39-year-old man has been charged for allegedly starting a fire which caused more than $800,000 in damage to two local businesses, and resulted in them losing more than $1.3 million in revenue. After an investigation which called on the public’s help, Kalgoorlie detectives on Wednesday said that had charged the man for the fire which occurred at 1.45am on October 12 at the Breakfast Burger Barbecue restaurant on Hay Street in Kalgoorlie. Police allege the man forced entry into the store, stole items while inside, and set fire to the shop on leaving. The property was engulfed by flames and completely destroyed. Subsequently, police said, a neighbouring mechanical workshop was also severely damaged by the fire, resulting in a damage bill estimated at $820,000 and more than $1.3 million in estimated loss of revenue. The Kalgoorlie-Boulder man has been charged with one count of burglary and commit, one count of stealing, and one count of criminal damage by fire. He is due to appear in Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court on December 11. Police said any information received from members of the public was important and thanked the community for its assistance during the investigation. Following the incident, a Department of Fire and Rescue spokesperson told the Kalgoorlie Miner the structural fire originated inside the building and the scene was attended by Kalgoorlie Fire and Emergency Services and Kalgoorlie Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services about 1.45am. The fire was extinguished at the premises on the corner of Hay and Throssell streets by about 3am but later reignited at about 5.40am, and was extinguished again by about 7.40am.