A 51-year-old man will spend at least five years in prison for setting fire to the interior of a government building in Western Australia.

Anthony John Kruger entered Geraldton’s Department of Communities office on August 2 last year with a jerry can of fuel that he poured on the front counter of the office before setting it alight.

Three staff were in the office at the time and 30 other people were evacuated from the building.

The Geraldton District Court heard Kruger had attended the Department of Communities office earlier in the day to seek help for a wind-damaged fence and left his small dog tied up inside the office.

When he returned, Kruger was distressed to find that the dog had been taken by a City of Geraldton Ranger.

The court heard Kruger made several calls to triple-0 later that day to report the dog stolen and threatened to burn the building down.

Defence counsel George Giudice said his client was under extreme stress at the time of the incident, as the Department had refused his application to have his family home put into his name. 

He said Kruger had cared for his mother, who had serious health problems in the home and was not confident that the department would find alternative accommodation for him.

‘Solely for revenge’

Kruger was charged with one count of criminal damage by fire and one count of intent to harm.

He pleaded guilty to both charges and was sentenced to serve a maximum of seven years in prison.

During sentencing Judge Michael Bowden said staff members had suffered post-traumatic stress, loss of sleep and appetite, and had become prone to breaking down in tears since Kruger’s attack.

While acknowledging that the issues surrounding the incident were complex, Judge Bowden said general deterrence was his primary consideration.

“It’s difficult to imagine something more frightening than being at work and suddenly being caught in a fire, hearing the pop and seeing the flames light up after literally going about their business,” he said.

“Your motive appeared solely for revenge.

The heritage building remains closed and the damage bill is estimated at $1.6 million.

Department of Communities staff are operating from an alternative office space.

Kruger’s sentence was backdated to August 3, 2023.

He will be eligible for parole after five years.