Two men arrested over fire that destroyed Perth cafe in 2016

Two men have been charged with arson-related offences following a three-and-a-half year investigation into a cafe fire in Perth’s north-east.

The blaze caused $500,000 worth of damage to the café on the Great Northern Highway in Bullsbrook.

Police alleged that a 41-year-old man rented the café in May 2015 and by the end of the year had taken out an insurance policy on the business.

It is further alleged when the business started to fail the man arranged with another man to burn down the premises.

On March 14, 2016, there was a fire at the café that burnt it to the ground after which the café operator made an insurance claim for damage to the property and business interruption due to the café being unable to operate.

The man from The Vines was charged with criminal damage by fire and attempted gains benefit by fraud, while another 47-year-old man from Gnangara was charged with criminal damage by fire.

They are both due to appear before the Midland Magistrates Court on Friday.

Sheridan Randall, 23^rd July 2019