TWIN BUSHFIRES HIT W. AUSTRALIA
Raging Blaze Destroys Scores of Palatial Homes in Upmarket Suburbs of Perth
UPDATE: ‘Sixty-four homes have now been razed in the bush-fringed Perth suburbs of Kelmscott and Roleystone, while 32 others have been damaged.’
At least 59 homes have been destroyed and scores more are damaged as massive wildfires leave trails of destruction in the SE and NE Perth suburbs of Roleystone and Red Hill.
West Australian Premier has declared the fire-ravaged areas of Roleystone, Kelmscott and Red Hill as “natural disaster areas.”
“Residents have been forced to flee with just the clothes on their backs as a flaming “war zone” descended on their homes,” a report said.
The fire has already consumed about eight thousand hectares including an area of a national park, and several farms.
The blaze was started by lightning, according to reports, and has been fanned by 70kmph easterlies.
“Gusty winds were today still causing authorities headaches across the entire southwest of the state, with fire fighters in Bunbury, Albany and various regional areas both north and south of Perth battling complex and complicated fire fronts.” Source
Image of the Day:
The raging blaze has destroyed dozens of palatial houses. Photo: Channel Ten via SMH
Meanwhile in Queensland…
About 75 percent of the state of Queensland has been declared a disaster area “after Cyclone Yasi compounded the damage left by recent widespread flooding,” a report said.
Click below for more photos:
Related News Links:
- Residents flee Western Australia bushfire
- How it unfolded: Twin bushfires in Perth
- Raging Perth bushfire claims more homes
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