A 60-year-old Kalgoorlie man accused of setting fire to the office of a real estate agency in broad daylight has been told he needs to seek legal advice after telling a court he was "guilty".
Police allege Raymond John O'Brien poured petrol onto a woman inside the building and set fire to an office.
It is alleged yesterday's fire caused an estimated $500,000 worth of damage.
Mr O'Brien made a brief appearance in the Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court today after spending the night in custody.
He was escorted into the dock by two male guards while wearing police-issued coveralls and with fresh bandages on his hands.
Mr O'Brien did not apply for bail or enter pleas to charges of criminal damage by fire and committing an unlawful act with intent to harm which endangered a person's life.
Magistrate Matthew Holgate asked Mr O'Brien if he had received any legal advice or if he wanted someone to represent him in court.
"Why? I'm guilty," Mr O'Brien responded.
Mr Holgate then said "I want you to get some legal advice".
Mr O'Brien was remanded in custody until his next appearance, which is scheduled for Thursday next week.
Woman received minor injuries
The fire at the Egan Street building, which houses Murphy Boyden Real Estate and a medical centre, was reported at 2.24pm yesterday.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said the first crews arrived on the scene at 2.27pm.
A woman in her 30s was taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Firefighters had the fire under control within half an hour, but could not stop it from causing significant damage to the building.
Murphy Boyden Real Estate principal Margaret Boyden said in an online post the agency was temporarily closed due to an "unfortunate incident at our office premises".
"Fortunately all our staff and other tenants and their staff escaped without serious injury," she said.
"We thank everyone in the community for their concern and best wishes."
