Blazing flames, strong winds and destroyed houses: In Parkerville, near the Australian west coast city of Perth, the fire department is battling an out-of-control bush fire. Authorities issued an emergency warning.
The fire brigade is battling a dangerous bush fire near the Australian metropolis of Perth. Residents of the suburb of Parkerville, around 30 kilometers to the east, were asked to leave their homes and seek safety, emergency services said. “You are in danger and must act immediately to survive,” it said.
According to local media, the flames spread to some buildings. Aerial photos showed at least one house destroyed. The fire was spreading, the fire department warned. Strong winds fan the flames. Firefighting aircraft are also in use. The nearby John Forest National Park has been closed to visitors. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
“Everyone is very worried”
Western Australia’s Prime Minister Roger Cook described a “worrying situation” where the outskirts of Perth meet densely forested hills. “We are all very concerned about the Parkerville fire and our condolences go out to all those affected by this event,” Cook said.
Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said the fire continued to escalate despite the efforts of firefighters and firefighting aircraft. “We know that Parkerville is an area that has experienced major fires before, including destroying homes, so the concern is very high,” Klemm said. Power was cut to more than 150 properties and several roads were closed. In 2014, a wildfire in Parkerville destroyed almost 60 homes.
More fires in Western Australia
Several fires are currently raging in the state of Western Australia, whose capital is Perth. Evacuations were also ordered in the Manjimup area, around 300 kilometers south of Perth.
The fire brigade has now been able to bring a fire under control in the coastal town of Lancelin, north of Perth. Large parts of the state recently experienced an unseasonable heat wave with record temperatures, especially around Perth.
