With the eastern coast of Australia in flood and Cyclone Yasi causing destruction in Queensland, Perth residents in Western Australia are battling bushfires. Forty houses were destroyed overnight as fire raged in the fringe suburbs of Roleystone, Brigadoon, and Herne Hill. Another 20 have suffered sever damage, and it is reported that two schools have also been caught in the fires path.
Residents have been ordered to evacuate the suburbs of Brigadoon, Baskerville, Millendon, Red Hill and Herne Hill, while around 2000 hectares of bushland and suburbs have been engulfed in Rolestone and Kelmscott.
It is thought the initial fire may have been caused from a spark from an angle grinder. WA premier Colin Barnett has declared the fires a natural disaster and provided funding for residents caught in the turmoil.
While fires are still out of control, firefighters hope to contain the blaze by days end. No deaths or serious injury have been reported.
