Man charged with arson after Percy St, West End fire

Police have arrested and charged a man over a fire, finding him hiding in the kitchen cabinets. WATCH

Police have arrested a man after a unit fire in West End earlier this month.

Officers discovered the man, 44, hiding in the kitchen cabinets at a Heatley address on July 18.

The Queensland Fire Department was called to the Percy St address on July 3 about 9pm.

Police will allege the fire was deliberately lit.

Deborah Polich, aged 54, was taken to Townsville University Hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.

“It’s been heartbreaking … I’ve lost my entire world in that unit, that’s all I had,” she told the Bulletin.

Donna Wood lives next door to the Percy Street unit complex which was burnt down on Thursday night. July 6 2025

She didn’t notice the blaze when it started.

“I was on the phone to my sister and my little chihuahua was barking and carrying on,” Ms Polich said.

“I went to see what was happening and he ran into the room and I followed him and as I entered all I saw was orange flames and smoke.

“I thought I was dead, I didn’t think I’d make it, I didn’t think anyone heard me call out.”

Police had to break their way into the home to save Ms Polich, who could be heard screaming.

Officers arrested the Lower Tully man after an extensive investigation.

He was charged with arson, possessing utensils or pipes and failure to appear in accordance with an undertaking.

He was refused bail and is due to reappear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on 12 September.

Originally published as Man charged with arson after Percy St, West End fire