Hovea man dies defending home from Perth hills bushfires

Hovea man dies defending home from Perth hills bushfires

12 January 2014

published by www.watoday.com.au


Australia — A 62-year-old Hovea man has reportedly died, after he lost consciousness on the roof of his house while defending it from a bushfire and 27 homes have been destroyed in the Perth hills.

St John crews were unable to access the roof despite assistance from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), and the man died at the scene.

Another man is in hospital with injuries, according to media reports.

Despite the efforts of dozens of firefighters and helitac helicopters in atrocious conditions, properties near Parkerville and Stoneville were razed by the fast-moving fire.

One Chidlow resident said he was leaving most of his possessions to the flames.

There are embers coming down like an ash – we are getting the hell out of here,” he told ABC radio.

“We are taking the animals, some clothes and the tax files in a box and we are leaving everything else. If it burns, it doesn’t matter.”

A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING has been issued for people in the eastern part of Parkerville and Stoneville, along Riley Road to Alice Road in Mount Helena, with residents warned it is not safe to leave.

A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING has also been issued for people in the northern part of Mundaring and Mount Helena in the Shire of Mundaring, where residents may leave if it is safe to do so.

People in Mount Helena who live west of Alice Road and Sawyers Road are NOT safe to leave.

DFES has advised people in these areas are in danger and need to act immediately to survive as there is a threat to lives and homes.

The out-of-control and unpredictable fire had flames 20 metres high and spot fires were starting up to 3.5 kilometres ahead of the fire.

“A number of homes have been lost, it will be sometime before the exact number and property type are confirmed,” a DFES statement said.

A community meeting will be held at the Mundaring Recreation Centre at 5.30pm on Sunday.

An evacuation centre established at the Mundaring recreation centre is now at capacity and people are now being asked to go to Brown Park in Swan View.

Mundaring shire president Helen Dullard said they were setting up to have people staying in emergency conditions for days, with Salvation Army volunteers on hand.

“We have got food and accommodation well taken care of, and there will be people staying overnight and not just one night,” Ms Dullard said.

“But we are still in an emergency stage.

“Some are finding out by friends, and because their friends’ houses have gone, then theirs has gone. Some aren’t sure.

“They are anxious to get home as soon as they can, but are having to wait and that is very difficult for them.”

More than 100 firefighters and 50 vehicles remained on the scene late on Sunday, and waterbombers were deployed to battle the blaze.

At least two firefighters have been treated for heat exhaustion.

The fire has burnt through approximately 250 hectares.

Just before noon on Sunday, residents in the eastern part of Mundaring were told to leave their homes immediately.

Less than 30 minutes later, locals were told it was too late to leave, as it could be deadly if they did.

The fires came after two successive days of 40-degree heat in Perth, and an oppressive heatwave in the northern part of the state all week.

Parkerville and Stoneville warning

Homes in Traylen Road, Conradi Road and neighbouring streets in Stoneville are under threat by fire now. The fire has crossed Stoneville and Richardson Road.

People in Mount Helena who live east of Alice Road and Sawyers Road are safe to leave.

DFES has advised it is too late to leave, leaving now would be deadly.

Residents are advised to shelter in their home and actively defend it.

WHAT TO DO:

It is too late to leave, leaving now would be deadly.

You need to shelter in your home and actively defend it.

Go to a room away from the fire front and make sure you can easily escape.

Choose a room with two exits and water such as a kitchen or laundry.

You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you well before the flames reach you.

Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from cotton or wool, and strong leather boots.

If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.

PLACE OF LAST RESORT:

If it is not safe to shelter in your home, a safer place you can go to is a local open space, shed, swimming pool, dam or building where you may go to seek shelter from a bushfire.

This will give you some protection from the effects of a bushfire.

Take water, woollen blankets and wear protective clothing.

Northern Mundaring and Mount Helena warning

DFES advises residents in the southern part of Stoneville and the northern part of Mundaring are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.

People in Mount Helena who live west of Alice Road and Sawyers Road are NOT safe to leave.

WHAT TO DO:

If the way is clear, leave now for a safer place.

Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute is deadly.

There is ember attack ahead of the fire, so close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.

If you leave, flag you have gone with a green bag weighted down at the front of your driveway.

If your plan is to stay and actively defend, do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected.

If you have access to a water tank and plan to defend your home, start patrolling with your hose and put out spot fires.

If you cannot leave, you need to get ready to shelter in your home and actively defend it.

If you are not at home, it is too dangerous now to return.

SAFER PLACE:

Your safest option may be to visit family or friends who live away from the area.

The Department for Child Protection and Family Support has also set up a temporary evacuation centre at Brown Park in Swan View on the corner of Amherst Road and Salisbury Road

The centre at Mundaring Recreation Ground on Mundaring Weir Road is now at capacity.

ROAD CLOSURES:

Avoid the area and be aware of fire and other emergency services personnel working on site.

A number of roads have been closed including Stoneville Road from Jarrah Road to Grenville Road for further details contact Main Roads WA on 138 138 or visit www.mainroads.wa.gov.au

A bushfire WATCH AND ACT has also been issued for people in the western part of Chidlow and the western part of Gidgegannup in the Shire of Mundaring.

There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching the area an conditions are changing. DFES has advised people to leave or get ready to defend.

WHAT TO DO:

If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear.

There is ember attack ahead of the fire, so close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.

If you are well prepared and plan to actively defend your home, make final preparations now.

Do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. If you have access to a water tank and plan to defend your home, start patrolling with your hose and put out spot fires.

If you are not at home, do not try to return as conditions in the area could be very dangerous.

A bushfire ADVICE has been issued for people in Sawyers Valley in the Shire of Mundaring.

Although there is no immediate danger for people in these areas you need to be aware and keep up to date.

WHAT TO DO:

Stay alert and monitor your surroundings.

Watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.

Read through your bushfire survival plan.

If you do not have a plan decide what you will do if the situation gets worse.
 


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