A 60-year-old Kalgoorlie man, who allegedly doused a woman in petrol and set fire to an office building in December, has been granted bail, despite admitting to starting the blaze.
The Kalgoorlie Magistrate's Court on Thursday heard Raymond John O'Brien stood out the front of the Egan Street building watching it burn, and that he told police officers who arrived on the scene that he had started the fire.
The court was told Mr O'Brien walked into the office of Murphy Boyden Real Estate on December 12 carrying a red jerry can and told a woman working inside the office to leave, saying "I'm going to burn this place down".
The damage to the building, which also housed a GP clinic, is estimated to be $500,000.
Despite concerns over his mental health, Magistrate Genevieve Cleary granted Mr O'Brien bail, saying his lack of a criminal record was enough to reassure the community.
He appeared in court via video link from the Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison and his release was secured on a $1,000 surety and a $300 personal bail undertaking.
Mr O'Brien's strict bail conditions mean he is not allowed within 100 metres of the building he allegedly set alight, or within 50 metres of two women — the owner of Murphy Boyden Real Estate and an employee working at the office.
He was also forced to surrender his passport and was told he must not approach an international terminal or attempt to leave Australia.
Magistrate Cleary said despite the state presenting a strong case, she was of the view the conditions imposed were sufficient to grant bail.
The police prosecutor did not oppose bail but raised concerns in court about Mr O'Brien's mental health after it was revealed he spoke to police days before the alleged arson attack.
Police told the court Mr O'Brien was referred to the Kalgoorlie Health Campus on December 9, three days before the fire, after speaking with officers at the Kalgoorlie Police Station.
Mr O'Brien said he did attend the hospital but left after he was told there was nothing they could do for him.
The court heard the office worker tried to reason with Mr O'Brien, who allegedly started to pour the contents of the jerry can over a sofa and carpet in the building.
Police allege it was at this point Mr O'Brien spun around with the jerry can, dousing the woman's face and torso in fuel.
The court heard Mr O'Brien again told the woman to leave before removing a red lighter from his pocket and igniting the fuel.
Once outside, Mr O'Brien stood on Egan Street watching the building burn and told a witness he had started the fire, the court heard.
Police arrived shortly after and recorded on body-worn cameras Mr O'Brien telling officers that he had started the fire, before he handed them a lighter from his pocket.
Mr O'Brien was taken to Kalgoorlie Health Campus with burns to his body, as was the woman doused in fuel.
Defence lawyer Will Reid said his client could report to police three days a week and was open to increasing visits if the court required.
No pleas have been entered, with Mr O'Brien due back in court on February 27.
