Firefighters control major house fire on Hawdon Mews in Hillarys, pets carried from scene

A home in Perth’s north has been severely damaged by a raging fire, which authorities say was caused by a lithium-ion battery. Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesman confirmed crews were called to the property on Hawdon Mews in Hillarys just before 1pm. Around 80 per cent of the home was engulfed in flames before the blaze was contained just before 1.30pm, DFES said. Residents were witnessed carrying pets down the street in the aftermath of the fire with a firefighter seen giving the two cats some oxygen. All those inside the house have escaped and were accounted for. Home owner Chandi Seratne lost 30 years of memories in the home but was grateful his pets were saved. A triple-0 caller told DFES they could see smoke “billowing” out of the home before police and firefighters flooded the area. A spokeswoman for DFES confirmed investigators believe the fire was accidentally caused by a lithium-ion battery. It is understood an outdoor patio area had been destroyed while the full extent of the damage remains unknown. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.