Man dies trying to save home
Perth – A man has died attempting to save his house from a devastating bushfire in the Perth hills that has destroyed at least 27 homes.
St John Ambulance staff say the man collapsed on the roof of his house in Hovea just after noon yesterday.
St John crews were unable to access the roof despite assistance from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services ( DFES), and the man died at the scene.
Despite the efforts of dozens of firefighters and helicopters in atrocious conditions, properties near Parkerville and Stoneville were razed by the fast- moving fire.
One Chidlow resident said he was leaving most of his possessions to the flames.
‘‘ There are embers coming down like an ash – we are getting the hell out of here,’’ he said.
‘‘ We are taking the animals, some clothes and the tax files in a box and we are leaving everything else. ‘‘ If it burns, it doesn’t matter.’’ The DFES confirmed 27 homes had been lost, and added this number was expected to increase as damage assessments continued into today.
More than 100 firefighters and 50 vehicles remained on the scene late yesterday, as warnings in the area were downgraded to watch- and- act, and waterbombers were deployed to battle the blaze.
Burning embers were being blown around homes, and spot fires were starting up to 150 metres ahead of the fire, the DFES said.
At least two firefighters have been treated for heat exhaustion.
The blaze in the hills were the worst of a horror day for WA fire authorities, who battled blazes in Wanneroo, Boddington, Denmark, Gosnells, Shark Bay and a major fire in Baldivis.
The fires came after two successive days of 40C heat in Perth, and an oppressive heatwave in the northern part of the state all last week.