A 25-year-old Nulsen man has been charged with Saturday's arson attack on Condingup Primary School.
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Senior Sergeant Richard Moore of the Esperance Police Station said the man was facing charges including criminal damage by fire, two counts of aggravated burglary, stealing and criminal damage. Two others - a 22-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, both from Nulsen, were also charged with two counts of aggravated burglary, stealing and criminal damage.
The charges relate to the fire on Saturday and a separate break in at the Condingup Recreation Centre shortly before the fire was set alight.
Senior Sergeant Moore said the trio were seen on CCTV footage stealing alcohol from the recreation centre. He said one of the local police officers recognised one of the people involved and made inquiries with the Duke of Oreleans Bay Caravan Park to see if those in the CCTV footage had been staying with them, which they were.
Senior Sergeant Moore said police stopped the vehicle the trio were in about 1pm on Sunday along Orleans Bay Road where they seized items and carried out forensic testing. Forensic tests were also carried out at the caravan park and items were seized from there also.
He said all those involved in the police investigations did an outstanding job to have made arrests within 24 hours of the incident.
The 25-year-old was due to appear in court via video link today.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Communications Centre supervisor Matt Wakeling said they received a call at 10.19pm on Saturday notifying them of the blaze.
"The administration building was totally destroyed with further damage to other buildings," Mr Wakeling said.
Mr Wakeling said the damage was estimated to be in excess of $1 million. He also said the local government would be meeting during the week to discuss options on how the children could go back to school after the holidays.
"The local government will be meeting during the week to discuss the recover options."
Mr Wakeling said the Esperance Volunteer and Fire Rescue Service as well as the Condingup and Mount Merivale Bush Fire Brigade's attended the scene.
"There were about 10 fire fighters," he said.
