RELATED CONTENT: Centre Point Arcade closed after fire
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RELATED CONTENT: Fire in Warrnambool CBD
POLICE say a 12-year-old was responsible for a fire in the Centre Point Arcade.
The boy was arrested and is facing two charges of criminal damage by fire.
Detective Senior Constable Craig Wastell, of the Warrnambool Criminal Investigation Unit, said the second charge related to a fire at the public toilets in Gilles Street on December 2.
He said it was believed the boy was riding a push bike at the time of the two incidents and urged anyone with anymore information to contact police.
The fire in the Centre Point Arcade, on December 3, caused extensive smoke damage to The Hut cafe.
At the time Cafe owner Stuart Beynon said the fire was “a kick in the guts” after the works to upgrade Liebig Street had significantly reduced the cafe’s trade for the past nine months.
He expected the fire would cost his business, which employs at least eight people, tens of thousands of dollars.
Detective Senior Constable Wastell said there had been a number of similar fires in toilet blocks and other public areas in recent weeks and investigations into those incidents were ongoing.
“We are concerned there has been a number of similar fires in the last couple of weeks,” he said.
“Anyone who has seen anything suspicious should call police.”
The boy was bailed to appear in Warrnambool Children’s Court on December 21.
Anyone with any information should call Warrnambool CIU on 5560 1153 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.