\u201cWhat\u2019s happened is there were donation boxes out the front of the property on the veranda\u2026 they\u2019ve stuffed cardboard boxes into the donation boxes and set fire to it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt resulted in quite a substantial fire in the veranda area, damaging the front of the property.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Donation](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/3ee2e1e6679b57ceef0fbaad0672565e935c33e9.jpg\")
Camera IconDonation boxes on the front veranda. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n
Mr Nell said it was \u201cjust fortunate\u201d that no families, children or volunteers were inside the house at the time.<\/p>\n
KCSG House, which provides a safe and welcoming space for children facing cancer and their families, will remain closed while repairs are carried out and safety measures reviewed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means we\u2019ve closed the house for any visitors for the time being because of the damage and the work that needs to be done,\u201d Mr Nell said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith it being a heritage-listed building, there\u2019ll be a process. I would imagine it\u2019ll be at least a month, which means the kids can\u2019t use the house and come and visit in that time.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5c36f0daa87339bf3fd909e1538a9b5d53868c1e.jpg\")
Camera IconThe centre has been forced to temporarily close as a result of the fire. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n
He said the house played a crucial role for families who often have nowhere else they can safely go.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a community house. Families, parents and the kids pop in. It\u2019s a hub for connection and support,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a safe place for the kids to play because we keep things sterilised and they can\u2019t go to places like fun centres or even the hospital because they\u2019re immune compromised.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mother Kristy Johnson, whose son Noah was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, said the house had been a lifeline for her family.<\/p>\n
\u201cKids\u2019 Cancer Support Group was the light up of his week,\u201d Ms Johnson said.<\/p>\n
She said learning the house had been deliberately set alight was devastating.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be honest, given that it\u2019s a children\u2019s cancer support group, I was disgusted,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know how somebody could do that to children that are in need and then go to sleep at night. It makes me very sad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Johnson said the closure had stripped families of essential support.<\/p>\n
![\"Mother](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/af496c4abe681b7993125344f73ec59630d28ca1.jpg\")
Camera IconMother Kristy Johnson, whose son Noah was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, said the house had been a lifeline for her family. Credit: Daniel Wilkins\/The West Australian<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve taken away that network,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey lose the ability to say, \u2018I just need my out for the day,\u2019 and go somewhere they feel safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat network is everything to families. To my son.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Nell said the incident felt like a violation of the charity\u2019s home and the sense of safety families deserved.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think people realise what they\u2019re doing, or the knock-on effect this has,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just how dangerous it is \u2014 it affects our organisation and the families. It\u2019s shocking that people would even do this.\u201d<\/p>\n
While police are investigating, Mr Nell said he did not believe the charity had been deliberately targeted.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0413fe1dd55ec8fc35d739d9a99eedd985e9d958.jpg\")
Camera IconThe Children\u2019s Cancer Support House deliberately set ablaze in West Leederville. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n
\u201cI honestly don\u2019t believe it was targeted. I hope to think it wasn\u2019t targeted \u2014 it was just an opportunistic person,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Despite the damage Mr Nell praised the local community for rallying around the charity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe community and neighbours have been incredibly supportive, and the fire services prevented it becoming a lot worse than it could have been,\u201d Mr Nell said.<\/p>\n