A YOKINE man is facing court this morning after a house fire in West Perth caused $500,000 damage over the weekend.
Police alleged the 52-year-old man forced open the door of the Cowle Street house before throwing a lit cigarette into a pile of papers inside the house.
The papers caught fire and the blaze destroyed both the house and adjoining property.
The fire was originally reported shortly before 4pm on Saturday.
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READ NOWPolice worked with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to manage traffic on the scene and in the surrounding area, and the Arson Squad was called to investigate.
That investigation continues today, as the 52-year-old man is due to appear in the Perth Magistrate’s Court.
The man was charged with criminal damage by fire and burglary and commit.