DONALD James Ranger (34) today pleaded guilty to setting fire to the Perth Train Station information centre in February, causing about $500,000 damage.
Ranger appeared in Stirling Gardens Supreme Court via video from Hakea prison, where he entered his plea on three charges in relation to the incident.
About 3am on February 21 Ranger set fire to two public bins in the Perth Cultural Centre then broke into the station’s front building through a glass door and set fire to documents.
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READ NOWThe blaze gutted the ground level office space but also caused damage to the upper level.
Transit officers arrested Ranger at the scene and he later received medical treatment.
Ranger was captured on CCTV setting fire to the bins.
He was remanded in custody and will face sentencing at Perth Supreme Court August 2.
Public Transport Authority (PTA) has confirmed a design for the new information centre is underway.
PTA spokesman David Hynes said behind the scenes work had begun to prepare the area for further works.
“The area has been inspected by engineers, and some minor works done to ensure the office space above the information centre is useable for Transperth Train Operations staff,” he said.
“A design for the new information centre is currently being worked on so that a tender to rebuild facility can be released in the coming months.”
Mr Hynes said the new centre would look “almost exactly” like it did before the fire.
“The public are unlikely to notice any major difference,’ he said.
He said it was too early to determine the total cost of repairs, but it was insured.
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