Investigations underway by Albany detectives as fire guts Doralane bakery, woman suffers smoke inhalation

Albany detectives are investigating the cause of a serious fire that gutted a popular Albany bakery on Saturday, which is believed to be suspicious. Fire ripped through Doralane Pastries in Spencer Park as crews battled for nearly 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control. The front windows of the building were smashed during the fire and a woman was rescued from the business before it was engulfed by flames. A police spokesperson said the fire caused an estimated $200,000 damage and the building was extensively damaged while a staff member was taken to hospital with smoke inhalation. Specialist officers from the Arson Squad attended, conducting a fire scene examination and the cause of the blaze is being treated as suspicious. A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said their investigations had concluded and the cause was undetermined. The incident has been left with WA Police. Albany detectives confirmed on Monday they were investigating the circumstances of the fire. A triple-0 call was received about 2.05pm with the caller reporting smoke was filling up the inside of the building. Six fire crews rushed to the scene in Spencer Park as police blocked off Angove Road between Lyttleton Street and Hardie Road. Firefighters were attending to a woman at the back of the property before paramedics arrived. St John WA confirmed a woman in her 40s suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to Albany Health Campus. She had no serious injuries. DFES said it took crews a few tries before they successfully gained access to the building, which they entered wearing breathing apparatus before rescuing a woman inside. The fire was brought under control by 2.27pm and crews mopped up before the scene was handed over to police. The popular bakery has been in Albany for more than 50 years. Detectives are urging anyone with any information relating to this fire, or who has mobile phone, or dash-cam vision, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestopperswa.com.au Rewards of up to $25,000 are available for information that leads to the identification and conviction of an arsonist.