Horror fire razes homes

AT least 56 homes have been destroyed by a bushfire in the Perth Hills, but authorities say there have been no reports of lives lost.

WA Premier Mark McGowan described the blaze as “apocalyptic” and “an extremely dangerous fire”.

“Weather conditions are extremely volatile ... (the Department of Fire and Emergency Services) advise they have lost 80 per cent of all properties in the rural area of Tilden Park in Gidgegannup,” he said on Tuesday.

Fire Commissioner Darren Klemm later confirmed the number of homes lost stood at 56 and said authorities were working to notify affected residents.

“The rapid damage assessment team will continue (their work) ... there is the likelihood that the number of homes lost will increase once that work has been completed,” he said.

Mr Klemm also revealed six firefighters had received minor injuries while battling the blaze.

“We are unaware of any injuries to the public,” Mr Klemm said.

Earlier, DFES Deputy Commissioner Craig Waters said the fire was intense and firefighters were very fatigued.

Mr Waters said one fire appliance was lost.

“There’s no reports of fatalities at this point,” Mr Waters said. “We did have a couple of minor injuries.”

A DFES spokesman told NCA NewsWire another firefighter

also suffered smoke inhalation on Monday.

Mr McGowan said Western Australia was securing another large aerial tanker from NSW to assist.

“This is an extremely concerning and serious situation. The thoughts of all West Australians are with the people impacted,” he said.

“Right now, WA is battling two different kinds of emergencies — a dangerous fire emergency and a COVID-19 lockdown emergency.”