Massive bushfire destroys Western Australia town
- 8 years ago
About 95 homes have been destroyed after a bushfire ripped through a Western Australian town.
Three people are unaccounted for and one-third of the historic town of Yarloop, south of Perth, has been razed, authorities said.
Wind gusts of up to 60km/h (37 m/ph) overnight fanned the blaze, dubbed the Waroona fire, to heights of 50m.
The fire continues to threaten towns and strong winds today are expected to again make conditions difficult.
Western Australia Fire Commissioner Wayne Gregson told a press conference that the fire in Yarloop was too intense to be tackled head-on.
He said that four firefighters were injured battling the blaze and one fire truck was destroyed.
The fire has now burned through more than 50,000 hectares (500 sq km) and is threatening towns including Harvey and Preston Beach.
Three people are unaccounted for and one-third of the historic town of Yarloop, south of Perth, has been razed, authorities said.
Wind gusts of up to 60km/h (37 m/ph) overnight fanned the blaze, dubbed the Waroona fire, to heights of 50m.
The fire continues to threaten towns and strong winds today are expected to again make conditions difficult.
Western Australia Fire Commissioner Wayne Gregson told a press conference that the fire in Yarloop was too intense to be tackled head-on.
He said that four firefighters were injured battling the blaze and one fire truck was destroyed.
The fire has now burned through more than 50,000 hectares (500 sq km) and is threatening towns including Harvey and Preston Beach.