At least 10 homes lost as government stands up Bullsbrook facility ...
At least 10 homes lost as government stands up Bullsbrook facility for fire evacuees
The West Australian government is working with the Commonwealth to stand up the Bullsbrook Centre for National Resilience to house residents forced to evacuate from a fire which has destroyed at least 10 homes in Perth’s northern suburbs.
Acting Premier Rita Saffioti said the $400 million Bullsbrook facility, which was built as a COVID-19 quarantine facility but has never been used, could also be used to house interstate firefighters.
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said the blaze was a “significant fire.”
“This will be a long-running incident and it could take some time before the fire is brought under control given the situation we find ourselves in terms of the wind at the moment, and indeed the high temperatures,” he said.
More than 540 homes are without power and 100 transmission lines have been impacted.
Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said he did not believe the number of homes destroyed would increase significantly beyond 10, and he was hopeful that wind conditions would become more favourable for firefighters after lunch.
Mariginiup resident Steve was forced to evacuate on Wednesday afternoon after seeing an “orange glow” coming directly for his home of 30 years on Ranch Road.
While he was leaving, he watched as embers were blown across the road by strong winds.
“I have heard the house is completely burnt down to the ground,” Steve told 6PR.
Loading
“It was in a battleaxe block. So obviously, it was harder for the firefighters to get to. I’ve just heard that there was about 15 homes [also burnt down].”
Authorities are yet to confirm whether this number is correct and will hold a press conference at 11am.
Steve, who did not want to give his last name, said he was the only one who had been living there, but his children were very upset.
“The kids are really upset because it was their house when they were young,” he said through tears.
“I suppose they’re a lot more upset than what I am.”
He said he was preparing to head back to his home on Thursday morning to see what was left, and was now staying at his daughter’s house.
Another woman, who was too distraught to speak on air, said her equine facility had also been completely burnt.
More than 60 horses were evacuated from an equestrian centre on Wednesday afternoon as the fire loomed close.
Team Equistar, operated by professional show jumper Rick Dabner and his partner Eve Jarvis, is based on Rousset Road in Mariginiup.
Loading
The pair said their paddocks were on fire as they evacuated. It is not known if their property survived the blaze.
Police Minister Paul Papalia said the fire sounded incredibly threatening, and urged residents to follow the lead of emergency services.
“People are trying to save lives and save properties … they are actually risking their lives to do that,” he said.
“I urge people to do what they ask you to do.”
City of Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken said the Department of Fire and Emergency Services had told her there had been some property lost.
“But they’ve also stated that the fire site is very, very dangerous, they’ve got powerlines down, and they need to protect their people going in to have a look,” she said.
City of Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken at the evacuation centre. Credit: Seamus Harrison
“So they will go in and they will evaluate and come back to us with more information later. The most important thing is that people are safe.”
Aitken said there were mattresses and food at the evacuation centre for anyone in need.
“So many people have come on board wanting to give stuff, wanting to help. Our community is absolutely fantastic coming together and I’m sure that will continue into recovery afterwards,” she said.
Community Emergency Services Manager Murray McBride said the fire had been “running hard” into the early morning.
“We do have elevated fire weather throughout the rest of the day and the following few days of the week,” he said.
“There is a lot of power infrastructure on the ground at the moment, a lot of trees. It is very dangerous condition in the incident area.”
He predicted there would be crews on the fire ground for the next five days.
Loading
