Anthony John Kruger: Accused arsonist remanded after allegedly setting fire to Geraldton Housing Office

A Geraldton man charged for allegedly setting fire to the Geraldton Housing Office, which left a damage bill of about $400,000, has been remanded in custody after making his first appearance in court. Anthony John Kruger, 51, of Beachlands, faced Geraldton Magistrates Court on Friday morning, less than 24 hours after he is alleged to have caused shock and panic in Geraldton’s CBD. Mr Kruger is accused of walking into the Department of Communities’ Housing Office building at Marine Terrace on Thursday just before 2pm with a jerry can of fuel, which he splashed on the front counter and set alight. Shocked office staff quickly evacuated and there were no other members of the public in the building at the time. A new high-tech helicopter, coincidentally in Geraldton for community engagement events, tracked down Mr Kruger’s vehicle in Moonyoonooka, leading officers on the ground to his location where he was arrested about 4.15pm on Thursday. Windows exploded and smoke billowed from the building as fire crews extinguished the blaze within half and hour, containing it to a few rooms on the ground floor. Mr Kruger made a brief appearance in court after spending the night in custody. He is charged with criminal damage by fire and intent to harm and unlawfully doing an act as a result of which the life, health and safety of a person was or was likely to be endangered. No bail application was made on Friday and the case was quickly adjourned until September 7. A DFES spokesperson on Friday said the estimated damage caused to the building was about $400,000. On Thursday, a Department of Communities spokesperson said the incident had left staff in “shock and distress” and they were providing immediate support to “prioritise their wellbeing”. Also on Thursday, Mid West Gascoyne Inspector Jon Munday said the main thing was that no one was injured and police quickly apprehended the suspect, who they believe acted alone.