Residents in Perth's southern suburbs have been warned it is too late to leave their homes as a bushfire continues to burn out of control in Kwinana, with deadly fumes from a rubbish tip filling the air.
Large Air Tanker supporting firefighters at the City of Kwinana bushfire, in Perth, Western Australia. Photo: Facebook / Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has issued an emergency warning for suburbs in the City of Kwinana including parts of The Spectacles, Orelia, Medina, Naval Base, Postans, Kwinana Beach and Hope Valley.
Lives and homes are under threat in an area bounded by Anketell Road to the north, McLaughlan Road to the east, Thomas Road to the south and out to the coast.
Around 150 firefighters are tackling the fire, which started near the intersection of Thomas Road and Gilmore Avenue in Orelia and is moving slowly in a westerly direction.
People in an area bounded by Beard Street to the north, Rockingham Road to the east, Thomas Road to the south and the coast have been told it is too dangerous to leave due to hazardous fumes from the fire burning through part of the Kwinana town rubbish tip.
DFES has warned residents in the area to remain inside with their windows and doors closed and air conditioners switched off, to avoid the deadly fumes in the air.
Others in the emergency warning area have been told to leave for a safer place if the way is clear or get ready to shelter at home.
Those self-isolating or quarantining due to Covid-19 have also been told to leave if it is safe to do so.
They have been advised to find alternative accommodation with family or friends who live away from the area and to follow Covid-19 precautions.
Kwinana industrial area threatened
DFES incident controller Ray Buchan said high temperatures and strong winds from the east had fanned the flames.
"The last 24 hours for us have been quite a challenging period… that's been hard for crews on the ground to work in those conditions," he said.
"Yesterday afternoon towards last night, the winds were quite strong, but they were also changing directions which pushed the fire in several different directions and made it challenging.
"But with the great work they've done, we managed to establish a control line and last night we strengthened those lines and were able to stop the spread of the fire before it did any serious damage to property and infrastructure."
He said the fire had "pushed well into" the Kwinana industrial area, with aerial footage also showing flames around the Perth Motorplex.
"It's taken a run of about 4.5 kilometres in total length, but the fire did make its way into the industrial area which had a number of significant infrastructure facilities under threat," he said.
DFES district officer William Blacksure said residents should monitor the alerts and warnings and have a bushfire plan.
"It is time to review their plans and make sure that they're familiar with the contents of them and that everyone in the household knows what they're doing," he said.
Fire closes roads
The blaze has closed several roads including Rockingham Road southbound from Mason Road to Anketell Road, Thomas Road from Rockingham Road to Orelia Ave and Abercrombie Road between Anketell Road and Thomas Road.
Motorists are asked to avoid the area, reduce speed and drive carefully due to smoke.
The fire was reported at 12:38pm on Saturday and has already burnt through more than 230 hectares of land.
It is not known what caused the blaze.
A watch and act has also been issued for parts of Parmelia, The Spectacles, Calista, Orelia, Leda, Medina, Kwinana Town Centre, Postans, Kwinana Beach and East Rockingham due to the fire.
Those south of Thomas Road have been advised to leave in a southerly direction, while those north of Anketell Road should leave in a northerly direction.
Gosnells bushfire downgraded
Elsewhere in Perth's southern suburbs, an emergency warning for Gosnells, in Perth's south-east, was downgraded to watch and act just before 10:00pm as the fire was stationary.
People in an area bounded by Albany Highway, Tonkin Highway and Ferres Drive were advised there was still a possible threat to lives and homes with conditions changing.
The fire started in Martin, near the intersection of Connell Avenue and Milleara Road yesterday afternoon.
It forced the evacuation of the Riverside Gardens retirement village in Gosnells, with about 60 people moved to safety.
An evacuation centre has been opened at The Agonis, at 2232 Albany Highway in Gosnells.
-ABC
