Man charged over Perth apartment fire

ARSON squad detectives have charged a man in relation to a suspicious fire at a Perth apartment.

Emergency services were called at around 7:50am following reports the top storey of an apartment block was on fire.

The fire broke out in the building on Walanna Drive at Karawara.

Firefighters have extinguished the blaze and are working to make the area safe.

Walanna Drive is closed between Gillon Street and Jackson Road, but open to local traffic.

Motorists have been asked to avoid the area and residents in neighbouring buildings are urged to remain inside with windows closed.

A spokesman for WA Police said: “The fire caused extensive damage to an apartment unit.

“Arson squad detectives attended the scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire,” he said.

“As a result of this investigation, a 50-year-old man from Karawara has been charged with one count of criminal damage by fire.

“He is due to appear in Perth Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.”