A second man has been charged over the alleged arson of a two-storey property in Mount Pleasant, days after the home was extensively damaged by fire and threatening graffiti was found across its driveway.
The 43-year-old was arrested at a residence in Willetton on Saturday October 24. Detectives charged him with criminal damage by fire, and he was due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on Sunday October 25.
Police also charged him with drug offences and unlawful possession of a weapon after searching the Willetton property.
He is the second person charged in connection with the blaze, which took hold of the Ullapool Road home at about 3am on Wednesday.
Matthew Manfredi-Tarpey was arrested within hours of the fire and remanded in custody. He is due to appear by video link at Perth Magistrates Court on Monday for a bail application.
Arson investigators examined the scene after the fire, which caused the roof to collapse and left extensive damage visible from the street. Red graffiti on the driveway read: “pay your debt dog.”
Neighbour Lina Davison said she was woken by two bangs before seeing flames coming from the rear of the house and its roof.
“It was quite frightening, it was shocking,” she said.
