Vic: Out of control bushfire burns home
17 Jan 2009 10:02 AM
PERTH, Jan 17 AAP - Fire crews are battling a dangerous bushfire in Western Australia that has destroyed one home.
The fire has burnt 5,000 hectares north of Bridgetown, in south-west WA, including one home, Department of Environment and Conservation spokesman Aminya Ennis said.
More than 120 firefighters worked through the night battling the fire and the emphasis on Saturday would be to protect homes, Ms Ennis said.
She said residents in affected areas had been warned to leave their homes if they were not prepared for a bushfire.
Cooler conditions with stable winds were expected today, which should assist firefighters, she said.
Motorists were warned to drive slowly because of smoke and the presence of fire crews in the area.
Meanwhile, police are still looking for an arsonist who started a fire at Kings Park, inner west Perth, on Friday morning.
Fire and Emergency Services Authority spokesman Rick Tyers said the fire burnt 25 hectares of parkland and was now contained.
A fire at Yanchep Nation Park, which burnt 7,000 hectares of bush, was also contained, he said.
He said Saturday's weather should help fire crews mopping up the blazes.
"Hopefully we will have some good weather, we're expecting 33 today which is a great reduction to yesterday's almost 42 degree temperatures," he said.
"And hopefully we won't have anyone lose running around doing anything silly."
