Detectives treat Midland building fire as suspicious as cafe staff uncertain of reopening date

Police are calling for public assistance to help solve a suspected arson attack which caused half a million dollars in damage to multiple businesses in the early hours of Friday morning. Emergency services were called to the premises along Great Eastern Highway, near Tuohy Lane, about 2.30am after flames had taken hold of the building. The building was left “extensively” damaged, while an abandoned white Nissan Navara ute was also found torched partially inside one of the businesses. Police say the fire — which ripped through one business while also severely damaging the Robot Bun Factory cafe — is being treated as suspicious. Cafe staff told their patrons over Facebook they were unsure how long it would take to reopen. “Dear customers, early this morning we were woken up to the news of our lovely neighbour ... that owns the shop next door to us experienced a fire, causing damage to our little cafe,” they said. “At this stage, we’re not sure when we will be open, but hopefully it won’t take long till we’re back on our feet.” Police are yet to locate the driver of the ute and investigators urge anyone who saw the Nissan Navara in the area before the fire to contact Crime Stoppers online or call 1800 333 000. Mobile phone footage, dash-cam or CCTV of the incident can be uploaded to investigators directly here.