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 died and at least 27 homes were destroyed in a raging bushfire in Perth's Hills.
Dozens of families were evacuated to two makeshift centres overnight - many not knowing if their homes still stood.
More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze on land and by air.
Last night, the fire alert had been downgraded to a watch and act level, with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services saying the blaze was contained, but not under control.
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
In one area of Stoneville, including Grenville Road, Ayers Road and Narla Retreat, 18 homes were reportedly lost to the flames. It was also reported that six homes along Richardson Road in Parkerville had been razed.
DFES confirmed at a community meeting in Swan View tonight that 27 homes had been destroyed. Specific streets where homes were gutted have not been revealed by officials.
But that number is expected to rise as assessments of the fire zone continue overnight and tomorrow.
The cause of the blaze is unknown. However, speculation among locals centres on a fallen power pole.
Another community meeting will be held at 10am tomorrow.
Heroic stories have started to emerge from the fire zone, with one man saving four houses by himself. When PerthNow found him he was still trying to extinguish burning stumps with a bucket of water.
Sam Inu used a bucket to fill with water and put out spot fires as he saw them.
He was using a 20L bucket and going back and forth from the neighbour's pool to put out the fires.
He told PerthNow "nothing" was going through his mind apart from saving his house.
"I just didn't want my house to burn, I wasn't going to let a fire take my house," Mr Inu said.
Firefighters battle the devastating blaze in Perth Hills. Picture: DFES Source: Supplied
A family of six who lost their Stoneville home said authorities were incredibly helpful.
"We know they did everything they could have," Symone said.
Some people who tried to fight their houses couldn't because there wasn't enough water pressure.
Deborah told PerthNow the fire was "bigger than any of us thought it was going to be."
"It's unfortunate that some of us have just lost our houses," she said.
Deborah and her family have lived in Stoneville since 2008 and said she had never seen anything like this fire.
Other residents told PerthNow the wind was going in every direction as they fled their homes.
They heard of neighbours using water from spas to try and protect their homes.
Bert said he worked to save his house.
"The brigade let me in once they thought it was safe," he said.
Sawyers Valley resident 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. The 52-year-old man is in a serious but stable condition.
Flames were 20m high in the unpredictable and fast-moving blaze in Parkerville, which was first reported at 11am. Unpredictable winds 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.
Last night, the Mundaring centre was closed with everyone relocated to Brown Park.
DFES was still reviewing numbers at Brown Park, which most people were using to rest, gather themselves and get some food.
Just after 9pm tonight, the crowd at Brown Park was getting thin and it remained unclear how many people would be staying there overnight. Air mattresses and trundle beds were made available.
A fire is burning in the Perth Hills which has caused evacuations and loss of property. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited
SJA 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.
Firefighters battle the devastating blaze in Perth Hills. Picture: DFES Source: Supplied
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.
In total, more than 350 firefighters and personnel from other agencies responded to the fire. Aerial support was provided to crews on the ground during the day and will continue at first light tomorrow if needed.
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.
Firefighters battle the devastating blaze in Perth Hills. Picture: DFES Source: Supplied
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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