Hundreds flee bushfire

More than 200 residents fled their homes last Thursday as an out of control fire raged across Kwinana bushland.

Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams said the City decided to set up three emergency evacuation centres as the fire, reported to emergency services about 12.30pm, moved dangerously close to homes around 3.30pm.

The fire started close to old army bunkers at Sloan’s Reserve in Wellard and according to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services burnt more than 38ha of bush.

Forty-five career and volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Bush Fire Service and Department of Parks and Wildlife firefighters, as well as four DFES helitacs, battled the blaze into the evening to bring it under control.

A second fire was reported in the early evening, affecting people in Kwinana Beach, east of Rockingham Road and Patterson Road, close to the railway line.

Cr Adams said 100 residents from Banksia Park Retirement Estate and Callistemon Court Aged Person Units were taken to the City’s Community Lounge shortly after DFES issued emergency warnings at 3.40pm. Meanwhile, more than 100 residents gathered at other evacuation points at Kwinana Recquatic and The Zone Youth Space.

“It was really just a precautionary measure to remove the residents of our aged care facilities — many residents were worried and wanted to return home as quickly as possible,” Cr Adams said.

“But the community spirit was amazing, people were joking and laughing.

“They were well cared for and all had something to eat and drink — it was better to be safe than sorry.”

Calista resident Susan Jurgens said she decided to leave her home at Isaac Way for the Community Lounge about 4pm because she was worried she may not be able to escape the fire if the wind changed direction.

Mrs Jurgens, with pet dog Buddy and cat Heidi in tow, later went to her son’s house as firefighters continued their battle against the blaze.

“Fires can move so quickly, and if the wind changes direction, who knows what might have happened,” she said.

City ranger Samantha Di Candilo, who visited the Lounge to offer assistance with pet-care, said dogs were also evacuated from the City’s pound at Beacham Crescent in Medina and taken to a veterinary centre elsewhere.

A DFES spokesman said they were treating the fires as suspicious.