Police investigating ‘suspicious’ fire that left damage bill of $600,000 in Webberton

Geraldton Detectives are investigating a suspicious blaze that spread to several businesses in Webberton on Sunday evening and left behind a damage bill of more than $600,000.

The fire, on the corner of Anderson and Dwyer streets, started before 6pm on Sunday. Dozens of career and volunteer firefighters rushed to the scene, and it took about two hours to bring the blaze under control.

A DFES spokeswoman said the cause of the fire was deemed suspicious and the damage estimate was $600,000 across three affected businesses.

She said it had been reported the fire started outside, and spread to the nearby businesses.

One business affected was Penguin 3D Print and Electronics, which had a shed housing expensive 3D printers.

Detective Sergeant Simon Harrison, from Geraldton Detectives, said although it was early on in the investigation they were looking into CCTV footage from nearby businesses.

“There are currently no leads. As it was a public holiday yesterday, police will be following up the CCTV footage from multiple businesses today,” he told the Guardian.

Det-Sgt Harrison told ABC Radio that police believed the fire started on Dwyer Street and strong winds caused it to spread to nearby properties on Anderson Street. He said it was possible the fire was started on the verge where there were branches and leaves.

He asked for anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage from the area for the 20-minute window of 5.50pm to 6.10pm on Sunday to contact police.