Man charged over office destroyed by fire

A 44-year-old man from Murdoch has been charged over a fire that gutted a Bayswater business.

Police allege the man broke into the White Street property in Bayswater in October, 2017 setting fire to several items and had since been on the run for nearly nine months.

The blaze caused $200,000 damage to the WA Custom Truck Repairs shop, destroying the office and years of paperwork.

The company’s owner told 9 News he was only insured for the outside of the business.

The accused man fronted court this morning charged with criminal damage by fire, burglary and possessing a controlled weapon and was granted bail.