Arsonist causes $100,000 damage to Coles store after toilet paper set on fire

Shoppers and staff at a major supermarket were forced to evacuate when an arsonist targeted the toilet paper section of the store.

West Australian police say $25,000 is on offer for information about an arsonist who lit toilet paper on fire in a busy suburban supermarket.

Lost food, smoke damage and flooding from the sprinkler system has caused $100,000 of damage to the Coles store, police say.

The fire happened shortly after the end of the AFL Grand Final on Saturday.

An arsonist lit a fire inside a Perth Coles during business hours on Saturday. Picture: WA Police

“Rewards of up to $25,000 are available for information that leads to the identification and conviction of an arsonist,” WA police say in a statement.

The blaze was lit about 4pm on Saturday.

A police spokesperson said a person set toilet paper alight at a supermarket in the suburb of High Wycombe, on Perth’s eastern edge.

The fire spread to several shelves, emitting thick smoke, which activated the fire sprinkler system.

The Coles at High Wycombe in Perth. Picture: Google

Staff and shoppers were evacuated without any injuries, and staff members put out the blaze with fire extinguishers.

But the sprinklers flooded the store.

Arson squad police want anyone who was in the Coles at High Wycombe between 4pm and 4.15pm to come forward.

Rewards of up to $25,000 are available for information which leads to the identification and conviction of an arsonist, police say.

Originally published as Arsonist causes $100,000 damage to Coles store after toilet paper set on fire