Reports at least 12 homes have been destroyed and others damaged by a fire raging through Perth's hills.
What started as a scrub fire in Jolimont came dangerously close to homes.
The fire travelling north on Alice St with Mt Helena to the east. Picture: Alan Collins/Twitter Source: Supplied
Water bomber reloads with water battling the Parkerville blaze. Picture: Kristy Goodchild/Facebook Source: Supplied
A fire is burning in the Perth Hills which has caused evacuations and loss of property. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited
A 62-YEAR-OLD man has died and 27 homes have been destroyed by a bushfire which continues to rage east of Perth.
Thick black smoke blankets the Perth Hills as dozens of families have been evacuated to two makeshift centres and more than 100 firefighters battle the blaze on land and by air.
Out of control blaze in John Forrest National Park
Facebook page set up to help fire victims
Residents wait and worry to find out about their homes
Bushfire in Baldivis
It was reported in one area of Stoneville alone - properties in Grenville Road, Ayers Road and Nala Road - 18 homes have been lost to the flames. It is also reported that six homes along Richardson Road in Parkerville have been razed.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has confirmed at a community meeting in Swan View 27 homes have been destroyed by the fire. Specific streets where homes were gutted have not been revealed.
The cause of the blaze is unknown. However, speculation among locals centres on a fallen power pole.
A Sawyers Valley woman Joy Smith told PerthNow how she and her husband helped evacuate collector's cars to the local oval.
She said she had heard of a son's friend - a 25-year-old first homebuyer - who was one of 18 Stoneville residents confirmed to have lost their houses today.
West Coast Waves captain Melissa Marsh tweeted that her team-mate Shani Amos had lost her family home in the fire.
At 12.51pm, St John Ambulance officers were called to a Hovea house where a man had collapsed on his roof. He had reportedly been trying to defend his home from the fire.
"St John responded to the incident but was unable to access the roof. Despite assistance from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services in getting onto the roof, the man passed away at the scene," a SJA spokesman said.
It is not known whether the man's death, which Seven News reported was a suspected heart attack, was fire-related.
A minute later, a man fell through the roof of a house in Stoneville and was taken to Royal Perth Hospital under normal road conditions. The 52-year-old man is in a serious but stable condition.
Flames are 20m high in the unpredictable and fast-moving blaze in Parkerville, which was reported at 11am. The unpredictable winds have hampered efforts to control the blaze.
Dozens of people are waiting and wondering if their homes are still standing, as the initial emergency evacuation at Mundaring Recreation Centre reached capacity quickly.
This prompted another to be set up at Brown Park in Swan View.
A fire is burning in the Perth Hills which has caused evacuations and loss of property. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited
SJA has attended a small number of fire-related callouts in the Perth Hills today. Two first aid crews, a paramedic crew, and an emergency management unit vehicle have been sent to provide first aid and support in Parkerville.
At 12.17pm, St John attended to a 74-year-old man in Pickering Brook who was complaining of chest pains. The man was taken to RPH, where he was last night in a stable condition.
St John will continue to operate a first aid post from both Parkerville and also Baldivis, where another bushfire has been contained.
An area manager has been stationed at the command centre in Parkerville and a manager, metropolitan operations has been stationed in Baldivis.
Another fire has started in the John Forrest National Park, with parts of Swan View being evacuated.
Nine News reporter Kelly Williams said there was speculation that the Stoneville shops had gone up in flames.
The fire started between Jonhston Road and Granite Road, it has crossed Stoneville Road near Riley Road and is now burning towards Mount Helena and Chidlow.
A fire is burning in the Perth Hills which has caused evacuations and loss of property. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited
People in Mount Helena who live west of Alice Rd and Sawyers Rd are not safe to leave.
It is safe to leave in the northern part of Mundaring and Mt Helena.
There are more than 100 career and volunteer firefighters from 17 brigades are battling the inferno, with aerial support provided to crews on the ground.
Texts and voice messages have been issued to residents in Parkerville, Stoneville and Mount Helena. The cause of the fire is unknown.
At least two firefighters have been treated for heat exhaustion.
More than 650 hectares had been burnt.
It's also believed the wind is picking up in the area. It has also been reported that waterbombers have been used to save a number of properties.
A Western Power spokeswoman said 1000 homes in the fire zone are without power and they will be waiting quite awhile to be reconnected.
DFES says the bushfire is moving fast in a north easterly direction, with burning embers likely to be blown around homes. Spot fires are starting up to 3.5km ahead of the fire.
If anyone in the Parkerville bushfire needs a place for their horses or livestock CLAN Midland Inc have yards and paddocks available in Grass Valley, east of Northam. Anyone who needs help can call 0423 091 289.
A fire is burning in the Perth Hills which has caused evacuations and loss of property. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited
Mundaring Shire president Helen Dullard told PerthNow she believed about 80 people were at the evacuation centre.
"I don't know how many homes are on fire or to what extent and I don't know how many people have chosen to stay and defend, but what I do know is that this is a very serious fire and the wind is changing and swirling all over the place and making things very difficult," she said.
Ms Dullard said there was bound to be devastated and heartbroken residents as a result of this fire, but noted that firefighters were prepared for this kind of emergency and had extensive back-up from other brigades. She said information was being broadcast on a constant basis, which was a huge help.
Ms Dullard said people had brought their pets and animals to the centre and were looking for foster carers with the Shire Pound helping as much as possible.
She said they were setting up to have people staying in emergency conditions for days, with Salvation Army volunteers on hand.
"We have got food and accommodation well taken care of, and there will be people staying overnight and not just one night,'' Ms Dullard said.
A fire is burning in the Perth Hills which has caused evacuations and loss of property Source: News Limited
"But we are still in an emergency stage.
"Some are finding out by friends, and because their friends' houses have gone, then theirs has gone. Some aren't sure.
"They are anxious to get home as soon as they can, but are having to wait and that is very difficult for them.''
The blaze in the hills is the worst in a horror day for WA fire authorities, who battled fires in Wanneroo, Boddington, Denmark, Gosnells, Shark Bay and a major fire in Baldivis.
The fires came after two successive days of 40-degree heat in Perth, and an oppressive heatwave in the northern part of the state all week.
This is the latest devastating blaze in WA in the past several years. In Dec 2009, 38 homes in Toodyay were destroyed by fire, while in February 2011 71 homes were lost in Roleystone and Kelmscott. In November 2011, a fire destroyed some 50 properties in Margaret River.
For updated information people can call DFES on 1300 657 209.
Reports of suspicious behaviour can be made to CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.
Where to go:
The Department for Child Protection and Family Support has also set up a temporary evacuation centre at Mundaring Recreation Ground on Mundaring Weir Road.
The recreation centre is now at capacity, people are asked to go to Brown Park in Swan View on the corner of Amherst and Salisbury Roads.
What to do:
If the way is clear, leave now for a safer place.
Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute is deadly.
There is ember attack ahead of the fire, so close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.
The Perth Hills fire is continuing to rage, with dozens of firefighters battling the blaze and two evacuation centres set up. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited
If your plan is to stay and actively defend, do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. If you have access to a water tank and plan to defend your home, start patrolling with your hose and put out spot fires.
If you cannot leave, you need to get ready to shelter in your home and actively defend it.
If you are not at home, it is too dangerous now to return.
Safest place:
Your safest option may be to visit family or friends who live away from the area.
The Department for Child Protection and Family Support has also set up a temporary evacuation centre at Brown Park in Swan View on the corner of Amherst Road and Salisbury Road.
A fire is burning in the Perth Hills which has caused evacuations and loss of property Source: News Limited
Road closures:
Avoid the area and be aware of fire and other emergency services personnel working on site.
A number of roads have been closed including:
- Stoneville Road from Jarrah Road to Grenville Road
For further details contact Main Roads WA on 138 138 or visit www.mainroads.wa.gov.au
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