‘Terrifying’ blaze

Local resident Kristi McIntyre witnessed the event in Malland Street and said it was terrifying.

‘I was sitting outside the Valerie Heston School of Dance on the corner of Malland and Blaikie streets, along with 50 children plus the teachers who were in the studio and had to be evacuated,’ she said. ‘The building went up so quickly; it was terrifying, and fire and emergency crews were on the scene within minutes.

‘Our thoughts are with AAA Productions, a huge loss to the Perth music industry.’

The newly-renovated Melville City Church is next door to the destroyed building and suffered only smoke damage.

Police said the fire did not appear to be suspicious but inquiries were continuing.