Arson probe in Geraldton theatre fire

Geraldton detectives have issued a public appeal to help find out who lit a fire which caused up to $100,000 damage to the heritage-listed Radio Theatre Building on Monday. Firefighters were alerted to the incident at 4.12pm by a direct alarm from the building which was followed by “numerous triple-0 calls reporting smoke”, according to a Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesman. “A fire in the upper level of the structure was extinguished about 30 minutes later,” he said. “Reports indicate there was some vandalism and the matter was referred to police.” Part of Marine Terrace was blocked off for around an hour by police as firefighting crews battled to stop the spread of the fire in the former cinema. Arson squad investigators flew into Geraldton the next day and have determined there was “incendiary” action and the fire had human involvement. A WA Police spokesperson said the cause of the fire was undetermined and had been transferred to Geraldton detectives. “Police are appealing for anyone in the vicinity of the building between 3.30 and 4.30pm that saw or heard anything suspicious to come forward,” the spokesperson said. The fire originated in the second storey of the Radio Theatre building in an unoccupied retail space which formerly housed The Potters House Church. The building is recognised for its inter-war art deco architecture, and construction began in 1937. The spokesperson said assessment of the damage concluded that “up to $100,000 in damage had been caused”. Rewards of up to $50,000 are available for information that leads to the conviction of an arsonist.