A suspicious fire at the historic Hamelin Pool Telegraph Station has destroyed the home of the museum and tearoom operator, recent widow Trish Cox.

The fire took hold at 3pm on Tuesday last week and took five hours for emergency services to put out, according to volunteer firefighter Tim Hargreaves.

“It was one of the biggest fires I have (had) to deal with,” Mr Hargreaves said.

“As one of the fire brigade members present I can assure you there was nothing saved, just charred wreckage of not only a bit of Shark Bay’s history, but an individual’s home.” Mrs Cox lost her husband earlier this year and Mr Hargreaves said she ran a small business in an isolated area.

Mr Hargreaves, who also runs the not-for-profit Shark Bay Crisis Centre, said the community had donated goods and services to help Mrs Cox while she rebuilt her life. Locals Harvey Raven and Margaret Prior have donated essential items, while Dennis Mortam, Mike Bullock and John Sallinger have offered free freight.

He said he had also secured a desalinating solar panel from F Cubed to ensure Mrs Cox had access to fresh water. Carnarvon Detectives said the arson squad charged a 35-year-old male with criminal damage by fire.

He will appear in the Supreme Court next week.

Detective Senior Constable Mark Marshall said police were appealing for witnesses to come forward.