Grieving families have been forced to switch up their funeral plans at the last minute after a cemetery chapel was damaged in a cruel arson attack.
Tianna Diodat-Day, 28, from Mandurah has been charged with starting the blaze at Norfolk Chapel in Karrakatta Cemetery, west of Perth, yesterday.
Six firefighters battled the blaze, which took two hours to put out.
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Diodat-Day, who was arrested today, is accused of causing more than $1 million in damages.
She has been charged with burglary and criminal damage by fire and faced Perth Magistrates Court this afternoon.
Hundreds of funerals set to take place at Perth’s largest cemetery chapel will be disrupted over the next few months as the damage is fixed.
Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the alleged arsonist targeted what was supposed to be a place of mourning and reflection for families.
“I think that is very sad for our community that a place of not only worship [was targeted] but certainly where loved ones have been buried, that’s very sad,” Blanch said.
“The Department of Fire and Emergency Services have advised us there’s up to $1 million worth of damage.”
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The cemetery has been re-opened to mourners however families who have booked services at the Norfolk Chapel will be offered alternative arrangements.
The chapel had only been renovated last year and hosts several funerals a day.
It’s expected to be out of action for months and countless families will be left reeling.
“The most significant thing is the impact on families, we don’t have any services at the Norfolk today,” Krisha Rowcroft from the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board told 9News.
Police allege Diodat-Day also lit fires at the Lakes Lawn Cemetery last week.
Investigations into the incident are continuing.
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