POLICE are still investigating the circumstances around a house fire in Guildford on Sunday, August 17.

A WA Police spokeswoman said about 8.45am, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) notified police of a house fire on Bank Street.

“Police attended the scene and located a stolen motor vehicle,’’ the spokeswoman said.

“A 40-year-old man was arrested at the scene.

“Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the blaze are continuing.’’

DFES said the fire was reported at 8.35am and five firefighting appliances attended.

When crews arrived the single storey weatherboard and iron home was fully ablaze.

A DFES spokeswoman said a fire investigation officer attended and deemed the fire accidental due to the failure of lithium-ion batteries.

Guildford historical researcher Barbara Dundas said the first record of 3 Bank Street being built was in Wise’s PO Directories 1934-35 with a resident named Mrs Mary A Sales.

Mrs Dundas said jarrah weatherboard was used to build the home.

“Between 1829-1949 the reserve to the south of Bank St ( Spring Reserve) was an original swamp and town water supply,’’ she said.

“Chauncey’s 1840s survey of Guildford shows an embankment to the north of the springs.

“Later in the early 20th century the municipal council stored gravel and other road making materials here.

“A tennis court was developed to the south of the reserve adjacent to Helena Street.’’

She said the reserve area bounded to the west by Johnson Avenue was developed first at the rear of properties in Johnson Street and later subdivision.

“It was so named after an early pioneer George Johnson who developed a flour mill (with) his son WG Johnson on Lot 140.

“His son George Johnson became a noted civic figure, a farmer and second longest serving mayor in Guildford.

“Helena Street was located to the south of the reserve.

“The northern section of the reserve was subdivided off and nine lots created in 1923.’’

She said it was believed that Bank Street was named after the bank to the north of the watering place or springs.

“Mr G A Lefroy produced plans for the subdivision of Guildford GTL 141 in January 1923 and proposed a name for the new street and nine lots after the then Mayor Rhodes (Swan Express 19.1.1923 p2).

“In 1924 the under Secretary of Lands advised that the street could be proclaimed by the council under the Municipalities Act (Swan Express 11.7.1924 p2).

“The proclamation appears to have occurred in 1925 as the town clerk makes reference to the new street as Bank Street that year (Swan Express 18.12.1925 p2).

“The street was also drained and surveyed that year.’’

She said the loss of the home was another reduction in the number of Guildford’s old buildings and hoped when it was replaced it was with a single storey like-for-like house using the design guidelines.

Anyone with information relating to the structure fire or suspicious activity in the area, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online.