Gone in 45 secs: Serco insider reveals flaws

IT TOOK three asylum seekers just 45 seconds to escape from Northam detention centre last week using nothing more than padded socks on their hands.

A leaked report into the brazen daylight breakout reveals major security flaws at the WA facility and other Australian detention centres.

It was the third successful escape from the Yongah Hill Detention Centre in five months and yet another embarrassing bungle for the private operator Serco - which manages the country's detention centres, WA's prisoner transport system and our soon-to-be-opened Fiona Stanley Hospital.

Yesterday, police were still trying to locate a dangerous prisoner who escaped from Serco's custody while being treated at Joondalup Health Campus on Friday afternoon.

The Sunday Times can today reveal that one of the Northam escapees had been classified "high risk" after being caught with an "escape tool" in the months leading up to the January 12 breakout.

According to confidential information provided by a Serco insider, a detainee's security risk rating has no bearing on how they are monitored.

The documents also reveal other security weaknesses at detention facilities managed by Serco, including:

■ How asylum seekers have been able to use the internet to book plane tickets or organise getaway cars through friends via social media and even download Google maps to plan their escape routes.

■ Detainees becoming increasingly confident because of the number of escapes in recent years.

■ The lack of penalties means there is no deterrent to escape attempts.

■ Many centres are located in remote areas next to bushland, which means once an escapee has broken out they can disappear almost immediately.

■ The voltage on the 3.2m electric fence at Yongah Hill is not strong enough to shock escapees, and the design of the fence makes it easy to climb.

Detention centre staff at Northam this week threatened to walk off the job unless more employees were hired and their salaries were increased.

The Serco insider claims the security flaws at detention centres were indicative of "dysfunctional" leadership.

"The whole thing is dysfunctional from the top down," he said.

"Bottom line - there is no training given and everything is about money. Every time we have these incidents the main effort isn't improving but more so passing the buck and looking for someone to blame.

"This occurred in Thailand last year when Serco lost a high-risk and dangerous detainee in the Bangkok airport."

The insider said he was speaking out because he was tired of the "incompetence".

While two of the Vietnamese detainees from the January 12 breakout have been caught, one almost immediately and the other the next day, the third still remains at large.

The confidential material reveals concerns about the infrastructure problems at the Northam facility were first raised with the Department of Immigration after a successful escape at the facility last August.

And it warns the ability of detainees to scale the permitter and electric fences in less than a minute meant it would be impossible to stop them without structural changes.

A spokeswoman for Federal Immigration and Border Protection Minister Scott Morrison said the department took any recommendations made after an escape incident seriously and implemented them "if appropriate".

She said under its contract, Serco was fined for breaches, such as escapes.

The Yongah Hill breakout occurred just one week after two prisoners, one a violent rapist, kicked their way out of a prison van at Geraldton airport under Serco's watch.

The bungle sparked a massive manhunt lasting 36 hours.

On Friday afternoon, a dangerous prisoner in Serco's custody escaped through a toilet ceiling while being treated at Joondalup Health Campus.

A discarded Toyota Rav 4 allegedly stolen by the escapee, Bradley McIntosh-Narrier, was found about 7.30am yesterday morning in Balcatta.

This latest Serco incident prompted Opposition Leader Mark McGowan to call for a parliamentary inquiry into the company's contracts with the WA Government.

WA Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis yesterday ordered his department and Serco to provide a car for the woman whose vehicle was stolen by McIntosh-Narrier.

"It was the first thing I thought about," Mr Francis said.

"I told my chief of staff and Serco to sort it out. She is the innocent victim here."

In May, seven Vietnamese detainees held at the Serco-run Scherger detention centre in Queensland managed to break out when they jumped into a car that was allegedly waiting for them.

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Teen rehab cuts crime

There has been a 53 per cent drop in crime among some of WA's worst young offenders. Source: News Limited

POLICE have described a substantial drop in the amount of crime committed by some of WA's worst young offenders in the past 12 months as "extraordinary".

There has been a 53 per cent drop in crime among 160 of them.

Diverting the teenagers into behaviour management programs has helped, police say.

Youth crime intervention officers, or YCIOs, are placing youths classed as prolific priority offenders (PPOs) and those deemed as "persons of interest" into behaviour management programs offered by government and non-government agencies.

There are 19 YCIOs case-managing 297 youth offenders in WA. Of those, 160 have been placed into behavioural-change programs.

Police figures show that before being placed into the programs those 160 youths had been charged with a total of 1098 offences at a cost of $2.5 million to police.

But since being placed into those programs, the number of offences they've committed decreased 53 per cent to 471.

YCIO co-ordinator Sgt David Johnson said the results were extraordinary.

Acting Inspector Mark Fleskens said: "Besides the cost-benefit, addressing the underlying issues of these young people has now been shown to reduce reoffending.

"This provides PPOs with a better future and is in line with the WA Police crime reduction strategies."

Acting Police Minister John Day said: "The State Government sees this program as a very important initiative in preventing crime in our community. That's why we promised 30 youth crime intervention officers at the last election."

Youth Affairs Council of WA chief executive Craig Comrie said the non-government sector had been calling for a great focus on rehabilitation for young people in the justice system.

"The reality is that the majority of young people who find themselves having contact with the justice system have a range of issues that they're experiencing and often have a history of things like trauma or violence in their family," Mr Comrie said.

"If we don't deal with those issues, we won't make a difference.

"If we just lock young people up, it does nothing to change their behaviour.

"The only known way to change behaviour in this area is through education."

Mr Comrie said there needed to be an inquiry into juvenile justice in Western Australia.

"We invest so much money in locking up young people and we have one of the worst rates of incarceration of young people in the country," he said.

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Minister defends Serco guards

Bradley John McIntosh-Narrier Prison escapee 17/01/2014 Source: Supplied

CORRECTIVE Services minister Joe Francis has defended the actions of Serco officers who were guarding a prisoner that escaped from Joondalup Health Campus yesterday.

As police continued their hunt today for Bradley John McIntosh-Narrier, who smashed his way out through the roof of a toilet at the hospital, Mr Francis said based on the information he had been told, the guards made the "right call".

He said guards locked the 27-year-old inside the cubicle after he ripped a metal rail from the wall and allegedly threatened them.

The toilet cubicle where Bradley John McIntosh-Narrier smashed his way out through the roof at Joondalup Health Campus. Source: Supplied

"My assessment at this stage is that the guards made the right call at the time," Mr Francis said. "They had two options, you either hold him in the toilet and close the door shut while you wait for police or you let a violent aggressive person wander through a public hospital where there are patients and staff armed with a metal pole.

"I would suggest that people who think that the guards made the wrong call to think about the consequences had they done anything else."

It is understood McIntosh-Narrier had been remanded into custody at Joondalup Magistrates Court on Friday.

Mr Francis said the prisoner was transported to the hospital after he self-harmed.

After he breached the hospital roof, Mr Francis said he then hijacked a car from two women in the carpark.

The Toyota Rav 4 allegedly stolen by Bradley John McIntosh-Narrier, a prisoner who escaped from Joondalup Hospital on Friday. The car was found abandoned in Balcatta around 7.30am this morning. Source: Supplied

This is the second brazen escape involving prisoners under the watch of private contractor Serco, which is responsible for transporting prisoners in WA, in a fortnight.

Two weeks ago, violent rapist Cameron John Graham, 22 and Kelden Edward Fraser, 23, escaped from the back of a prison van at Geraldton airport. Both were recaptured following a 36 hour manhunt.

In response to the hospital escape, Corrective Services Commissioner James McMahon said he had now implemented a directive that extra restraints be used such as shackling a prisoner to a guard while they use toilets.

His decision follows a statement released last night by Serco CEO Mark Irwin that the company was planning to cuff prisoners to an officer or a fixed point to prevent further escapes.

He said following an immediate assessment of the Joondalup incident it had decided to implement a new directive - to introduce extra restraints while transporting prisoners.

"In consultation with the Commissioner of the Department of Corrective Services we have issued an immediate directive, that when prisoners are escorted and privacy is required, in addition to the standard restraints, officers are to use additional restraints so that the prisoner is secured to an officer or a secure fixed point," Mr Irwin said. "We are working with the Department on urgent revision of procedures and have recommended that an additional restraint, not currently in use in WA, be added to the equipment for prisoner escort, and appropriate procedures developed for its use.

"I have recommended to the Commissioner that we jointly commission a wideranging independent review into the management, operation, policy and procedures of Western Australian Court Security and Custodial Services."

A WA police spokeswoman said the black 2002 Toyota Rav 4, that the prisoner allegedly escaped in had since been recovered.

She said it was found abandoned on Campion Ave near Shakespeare Avenue in Balcatta at around 7.30am.

Police have also warned the public not to approach Mr McIntosh-Narrier describing him as "unpredictable". Any sightings should be reported to police immediately on 131 444.

An investigation into the incident had been launched by the department.

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10 days off for the price of three

Harley Fry (22), Emily Davies (22) and Georgina Davies (20) are taking a 10-day weekend in April and hitting the road down to Bremer Bay for the beach, fishing and surfing. Source: News Limited

IT'S the story your boss doesn't want you to read.

WA workers can take three days of annual leave for a 10-day, work-free windfall in April, thanks to a proliferation of public holidays.

The stars have aligned for employees in the 2014 calendar, with Good Friday falling on April 18, followed by Easter Monday on April 21 and the Anzac Day public holiday just four days later, on Friday April 25.

When weekends are factored in, workers who take three days annual leave on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday can have 10 days off in a row.

The WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry says the April public holiday period is normally more spaced out.

This year's trifecta is likely to encourage many employees to take an extended break.

CCI manager of employee relations Paul Moss said: "Many businesses still operate over the Easter and Anzac Day period and will require the right amount of staff to cover demand over this period.

"We encourage employees to let their managers know as early as possible of any leave intentions over this time.''

Mr Moss urged workers who wanted the 10-day break not to call in sick but to organise leave in advance, if their employer agreed.

"Employees not organising ahead and taking unscheduled leave can cause considerable strain on businesses and the staff left to fill the void,'' he said.

Perth welder Harley Fry, 22, said he planned to ask his boss for three days leave and take a 10-day holiday to Bremer Bay on WA's south coast with his partner, 20-year-old receptionist Georgina Davies, and her sister Emily, 22.

"Ten days of fishing and surfing. That would be gold," he said.

"You've got to get away from the city when you have the chance, and you can't beat an opportunity like this.".

Georgina agreed. "It's not every day you can ask for three days off and get a 10-day holiday," she said.

"It sounds too good to be true."

The Australia Day public holiday on Monday, January 27 will mark the first non-festive season long weekend of the year.

Then it's just over a month until the Labour Day long weekend with its public holiday on Monday, March 3.

After the Easter and Anzac Day bonanza of public holidays in April, WA Day will provide another long weekend in June, to be followed by the Queen's Birthday long weekend at the end of September.

The Department of Commerce says most full-time employees receive 10 public holidays a year.

Part-time employees receive public holidays if the day falls on a day they would otherwise have worked.

Casual employees are not entitled to paid public holidays.

To check your public holiday entitlements, call Wageline on 1300 655 266.

10 DAYS OFF FOR THE PRICE OF THREE

Friday, April 18: Good Friday

Saturday and Sunday, April 19-20: Weekend

Monday, April 21: Easter Monday

Tuesday, April 22 - Thursday, April 24: Workers could take annual leave

Friday, April 25: Anzac Day

Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27: Weekend

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Doctor pay rise to cost public

Health minister Kim Hames. Source: News Limited

A SECRET government deal that has seen WA doctors win a big pay rise will come at the cost of patients.

The Sunday Times can reveal part of the trade-off between doctors and the Barnett Government for an 11 per cent pay rise over three years is a pledge to help public hospitals make as much money off private patients as possible.

This is despite the new national healthcare agreement supposedly forcing hospitals to treat all patients equally irrespective of their ability to pay.

State governments make hundreds of millions of dollars every year convincing people to be treated as private patients inside a public hospital.

The process unlocks revenue from private health funds that would normally go to private hospitals.

It can also see hospitals reap extra money from the Commonwealth by bypassing state regulations.

The Consumers Health Forum said this week it was worried the rising numbers of private patients' in government hospitals is seeing public patients forced to the back of waiting lists and missing out on perks like single-bed rooms.

And, the Opposition said patients are being encouraged to spend money on medical help they should get for free.

WA Treasurer Troy Buswell said in October trade-offs would form part of the doctors' pay deal after it was reported they would get a higher than inflation pay increase.

"Practitioners with the ability to charge private and compensable patients and others on whom a fee can be raised will maximise the right to bill," an Australian Medical Association memo obtained by The Sunday Times outlining the deal says.

"The health service will provide assistance to achieve this goal."

Other efficiency measures agreed to by WA doctors include not backfilling leave vacancies of two weeks or under and requiring doctors to ensure annual leave balances don't exceed more than two years' worth of entitlements.

Health Consumers Council WA executive director Frank Prokop said he was worried the private insurance deal could lead to public patients being forced on to "longer and longer wait lists".

"We need to make sure that the quality of the service isn't compromised," he said.

Opposition health spokesman Roger Cook said patients would pay the price for the doctors pay rise.

"The health portfolio is out of control under Premier Colin Barnett and Health Minister Kim Hames and it's patients that ultimately are forced to pay the price," he said.

"It was Colin Barnett who lost the AAA credit rating, and now in an unprecedented attempt to cover their financial mismanagement the Barnett Government has caused doctors to bill patients more."

Dr Hames said the measures promoted "good governance of health services" and were supported by the state's peak medical group, the AMA WA.

An AMA spokesman said the organisation was satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations, which had taken more than a year to achieve.

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Casey too good for Zheng

Casey Dellacqua has advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time after downing China's Jie Zheng 6-2, 6-4.

Casey Dellacqua hits a winner in her win today. Source: Getty Images

EVERY tennis player who has endured their own heat hell at the Australian Open this week will think Australian Casey Dellacqua is crazy.

Dellacqua was only half joking when she declared she's peeved that a cool change has swept across Melbourne Park.

The 28-year-old West Australian would prefer the hotter the better when she plays Canadian teenager Eugenie Bouchard tomorrow for a place in what would be her first Open quarter-final.

The Aussie late bloomer defied the stifling conditions and her lowly 120 ranking to crush Jie Zheng of China 6-2 6-4 in their third round match on sunbaked Rod Laver Arena.

HOTTEST SHOTS FROM THE OPEN

FERRER LUCKY, JANOWICZ SHOULDN'T BE HERE

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She will now meet Eugenie Bouchard - a seeded teenager from Canada - on Sunday with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs.

Women's No.1 seed Serena Williams joined Angelique Kerber in the fourth round of the Australian Open after both cruised to straight set victories.

Dellacqua firmly believes her best is still ahead after a career cruelly interrupted by left shoulder surgery in February 2009 and a right foot operation in August 2010.

"I didn't know if I would ever be back in the fourth round of the Australian Open or any grand slam. It feels awesome,'' Dellacqua said.

And those bitter memories of the tough times in the two comebacks has built more steel into Dellacqua's normally sunny disposition.

She admitted to being heartened by the sight of Zheng lying prone beside her courtside chair getting treatment for heat exhaustion at a critical stage of the second set.

"When I saw her laying down, I thought, okay, she's struggling, this is good. I mean, that's what you kind of want to see with your opponents,'' Dellacqua said.

Australia's Casey Dellacqua celebrates after victory in her women's singles match against China's Zheng Jie. Source: AFP

"You're always looking on the other side of the court to see even if they're getting angry. That's what you look for. You kind of feel like, hey, I've got them.

"But, yeah, the heat was great. I love it. It makes my body feel good, too. Yeah, it would be nice if it would be a bit hotter for the next week. I'm sure everyone else will be over it.''

Dellacqua, who described herself as solar-powered after her second round victory, said: "I just grew up in this weather. I grew up in Perth. We had summers like this all the time.

"So I totally understand there is a point where it gets ridiculous. Like yesterday, obviously it was just too hot to play. For doubles matches, probably fine, but for singles it does take it out of you. I just guess I'm lucky that I've acclimatized to it. If you spent a couple months, I think you'd be all right, too.''

Dellacqua was aggressive from the opening point and took the attack to the Chinese player, mixing up the rallies with topspin and slice to prevent her opponent slipping into her normal rhythm. And she defended soundly when under pressure with looping balls to scramble back into a court position that enabled her to stay in a rally.

Two-time Australian Open finalist and Fox Sports tennis commentator, Pat Cash, has laballed the Australian Open fans as out of control.

She was well on the way to victory with another service break in the opening game of the second set. And dropping her own serve in the next game was a temporary setback.

Maintaining the attacking theme, the Aussie left-hander clinched another service break in the fifth game with a rifled backhand down the line.

Zheng took the injury timeout at the change of ends with Dellacqua leading 4-3. And the delay shook the Australian's concentration as a double fault and wild forehand allowed Zheng to draw level at 4-4.

"When I lost the game at 4-3, I was like, no, you got to switch back on, really knuckle down here. I know she's struggling, but I didn't want to be like too excited. I was trying to force it a bit. I took my time, relaxed,'' she said.

Determined Dellacqua wasn't going to be denied and she prompted smashed aside Zheng's serve in the next game and comfortably closed out the match.

The gritty left-hander has more than justified the place in the women's draw that she won fair and square in the Australian wildcard play-off on Melbourne Park's back courts late last month.

On facing 19-year-old Bouchard, a rising star already with a 31st ranking, Dellacqua's resolve was clear as she replied: "I guess I'll leave it all on the line. My body feels great.''

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Bushfire downgraded near Bullsbrook

A BUSHFIRE in Bullsbrook has been downgraded to a watch and act but homes are under threat and residents need to keep aware.

A emergency warning was issued at 1pm after the fire escalated quickly early this afternoon.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services warned that homes on Sawpit Road were under threat, but firefighters worked quickly and efficiently to contain the blaze.

The fire started near Sawpit Road, Warbrook Road and Railway Parade.

DFES said residents needed to be aware and either leave their homes or prepare to actively defend them.

Sawpit Road, Warbrook Road, Railway Parade and Maralla Road have been closed.

Firefighters are on the scene.

A fire in Bullsbrook is burning out of control. Picture: Ryan Lancaster Source: Supplied

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Dogs put down after attack on boy, 9

A boy has been rushed to hospital after a dog attack in Mandurah. Source: News Limited

TWO dogs involved in an attack on an eight-year-old boy south of Perth have been euthanised.

Ambulance crews were called about 11am to treat injuries to the youngster and two women, aged 50 and 29, in Cooper Street in Mandurah this morning.

A City of Mandurah spokeswoman said two dogs at the property, an American Bulldog and a Mastiff Cross, had been surrendered and had since been put down.

The dogs were put down at a local vet, the spokeswoman said.

It's believed the official owner of the two dogs was not at the property at the time the boy and two women were attacked.

It's understood the trio who were attacked are relatives of the person who owned the dogs.

The boy is being rushed to Princess Margaret Hospital, while two women aged 53 and 29 also have lacerations from the attack.

A PMH spokeswoman said the boy had head and arm injuries, and was in a stable condition.

The two other victims have also been treated for lacerations.

WA police are at the scene, as well as local rangers.

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Car catches fire with girl, 6, inside

A SIX-year old girl is recovering in hospital after the car she was in caught fire in Yangebup today.

The girl was alone in the car when it caught fire just before 3pm on Yangebup Road.

It's believed the girl later said that someone else had set the vehicle alight.

She suffered superficial burns to her arms.

Murdoch Detectives are investigating if someone else did in fact set the car on fire or if the incident was an accident.

St John Ambulance took to the girl to Fremantle Hospital for treatment.

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Prisoner escapes from security in Joondalup

Bradley John McIntosh-Narrier. Source: Supplied

A PRISONER has escaped from Joondalup Health Campus today under the watch of security company Serco.

The prisoner is 27-year-old Bradley John McIntosh-Narrier.

He escaped from Joondalup Health Campus just before 2pm today.

Police say he was taken there for medical treatment today when at about 1.50pm he was able to escape from the security guards that were with him.

A police spokesman said Narrier was "under Serco guard" at the time he escaped.

A Joondalup Health Campus spokesperson said McIntosh-Narrier had escaped through the roof of the hospital whilst in the toilet.

"He was using a toilet in the hospital. He's then tore some plasterboard off the ceiling and got into the roof and out of the building," the spokesperson said.

He is now believed to be driving a black 2002 Toyota Rav 4, registration number 1BFW 590, which was stolen from a woman outside the hospital.

"As with all prisoners, Mr McIntosh-Narrier is to be considered unpredictable and should not be approached," police said in a statement issued late today.

Any sightings of Mr McIntosh-Narrier or the vehicle described should be reported to police immediately on 131 444.

McIntosh-Narrier's escape comes just two weeks to the day that two other prisoners under Serco's watch escaped from custody.

Convicted rapist Cameron John Graham, 22 and Kelden Edward Fraser, 23, escaped from the back of a prison van in Geraldton on January 3.

They were both recaptured two days later.

A spokesman from the Department of Corrective Services said a review into how McIntosh-Narrier had escaped had already been launched.

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Penalties flagged for private pole owners

The devastated scene caused by Sunday's Perth Hills bushfire. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: News Limited

PENALTIES for landowners who fail to maintain their private power poles have been flagged by the Emergency Services Minister and WA's fire boss.

Sunday's devastating blaze, which destroyed 52 homes, is believed to have been started by a fallen power pole on a private property.

Minister Joe Francis and Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Wayne Gregson said given the speculation cause of the blaze it could be time to start looking at measures to enforce landowners to maintain private power poles, possibly introducing penalties.

Laws to regulate the upkeep of those poles will be scrutinised when the bushfire is reviewed by authorities.

Support the Perth Hills Bushfire Appeal

Mr Gregson said if an investigation confirms a pole started Sunday's fire, it would be the third incident started in such a way since the Toodyay bushfires and appear to be a "recurring factor."

He said it could be time to review the responsibilities placed on homeowners to maintain poles on their land.

"It does seem to me that if you've got a recurring causal factor for bushfires then it's time to have a discussion on those issues,'' he said.

Mr Gregson said the department would give "frank advice'' to the government when it reviewed the incident.

"There are some questions around power poles,'' he said.

"Who's authorised to do that inspection, what sort of responsibility or obligation ought there be on others to ensure that work is done?''

Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis said the private power pole issue could be discussed during a review of the incident, but did not want to pre-empt changes.

"I've always said I think there needs to be a balance between regulation and responsibility,'' he said.

Mr Francis said more heat and strong winds were forecast for this weekend.

"There's no guarantees that this isn't the last major incident of the year. We have to be prepared,'' he said.

The devastating fire could have been 10 times worse if fire crews did not intervene.

This afternoon, Mr Joe Francis said software developed with the University of WA, with State and Federal funding, helped tackle Sunday's Parkerville fire.

Mr Francis said the software used satellite imaging and gathered information of the land and weather at the location of a fire.

He said if firefighting efforts had not happened, the fire could have engulfed almost 4500 hectares.

A map released shows the fire would have stretched from Parkerville up past Mt Helena into Chidlow and almost across into Gidgegannup.

Authorities are hoping to downgrade the alert from a watch and act to an advice level by tomorrow evening or Thursday morning.

Twitter @KaitlynPST

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More photos of Bali pair's room

Qld authorities are examining the bodies of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff to determine what killed them.

MORE photos of what police saw when they entered Noelene and Yvana Bischoff's hotel room in Bali have emerged.

Police photos taken inside the room where they became desperately ill in Bali show a bag of medications lying open on a dresser and their luggage and personal belongings.

But they provide little clues as to what may have caused their sudden deaths more than a week ago.

What killed them remains a mystery ... Noelene Bischoff and her 14-year-old daughter Yvana. Picture: AAP Source: AAP

The photos, obtained by News Corp Australia, show their suitcases and other bags and show that a toiletry bag of medications had been opened on a small dressing table.

Two asthma inhalers of ventolin were lying on top, along with a strip of bronchial tablets. One of the asthma inhalers was expired in June 2007 and the other had an expiry date of 2015. Ms Bischoff's prescription migraine tablets are also at the top along with a small bottle of perfume.

What police found inside the room where Noelene and Yvana Bischoff stayed at the Padang Bai Beach Resort in Bali. Source: Supplied

An empty blister wrapper of an anti-nasuea tablet called Onestron was discarded on the floor. Police say that some medicine packets were also on the dresser and on the bed.

A small purple backpack and a plastic bag of what appears to be washing lies next to the bed, along with a pair of thongs.

A colourful hard suitcase sits next to the dressing table and another toiletries bag is on the dresser as well along with an empty packet of Popcorners brand gluten-free popcorn - all signs of holiday-makers on a carefree vacation.

New photos revealing what police first found nside Noelene and Yvana Bischoff's room at Padang Bai Beach Resort in Bali. Source: Supplied

Police have said the medication bag contained 29 different prescription and non-prescription medications, including ordinary over the counter painkillers and anti-diarrhoea tablets, vitamins, electrolytes, along with other anti-allergy and anti-nausea drugs. Medical professionals say they are all indicative of someone with medical knowledge taking every precaution while on an overseas holiday.

Police photo revealing what they saw inside Noelene and Yvana Bischoff's room. Source: Supplied

Noelene, 54, a highly-respected Sunshine Coast nursing manager, and her 14-year-old daughter Yvana, became critically ill on the evening of Friday January 3 in their room at the Padang Bai Beach Resort in East Bali.

Their sudden deaths remain a mystery and their grieving family hopes that autopsies, currently underway in Queensland, will provide them with some answers.

The pair became ill after dinner on the Friday night at the hotel and both passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning. Neither had shown any sign of illness during the day, according to the driver who drove them around for seven hours and dropped them off at the hotel where they planned to stay two nights before catching a boat to the Gili Islands.

Penta Medica clinic where Noelene Bischoff and her daughter Yvana went in Padang Bai, Karangasem, Bali. Source: No Source

Police in Bali say there was no immediate indication of a crime or of violence and that tests on vomit and liquids from inside their room showed nothing suspicious.

The family decided to have their bodies taken home to Australia and for autopsies to be conducted there rather than in Bali.

Police Commissioner Adnan Pandibu said yesterday that police in Bali will continue their investigation, pending autopsy results in Australia. Officers have interviewed staff at the two hotels where they stayed along with staff from both restaurants where they ate on their last day.

Doctors say it's not unusual that almost 30 medications were found in the hotel room of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff, Bali's sudden death victims.

Staff at the Padang Bai Beach Resort, where they became ill, will today hold a Hindu cleansing ceremony at the room in a bid to help everyone move on from the tragedy.

Padang Bai Beach in Karangasem where Noelene Bischoff and her daughter Yvana holidayed. Source: Supplied

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Blue meth hits Albuquerque's streets

New Mexico authorities say drug dealers are pushing meth dyed blue, in a nod to hit show Breaking Bad. Source: Supplied

Australian entertainer Rolf Harris has pleaded not guilty to 12 sex offences dating back to the 1960s.

REALITY is mimicking fiction with dealers in Albuquerque dealing blue meth, but it's not as pure as Walter White's product.

Drug distributors in New Mexico are selling methamphetamine tinted blue, mirroring that sold on hit drama Breaking Bad. Department of Homeland Security spokesman Kevin Abar says tinting meth blue is a way for distributors to advertise and brand their product, while cashing in on the hit show. He warns that the blue meth being sold makes people sick, and has been cut with chemicals to make it blue.

"It's truly bad," said Mr Abar. "It's a bad meth that's created a lot of individuals getting sick from utilising it."

"We're concerned that individuals may find it sexy and want to try it and utilise the drug and it's very addictive."

Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, teaching chemistry class in a scene from the pilot episode of "Breaking Bad." Source: AP

WORLD NEWS: ANOTHER SCHOOL SHOOTING IN US
- Two students are in critical condition and a 13-year-old is reportedly in custody after a shooting at a middle school in Roswell, New Mexico.
- A US politician is proposing the use of firing squads to execute condemned inmates due to challenges to lethal injection.
- Two people plunged to their deaths in the icy Chicago River after trying to retrieve a man's mobile phone.

Ken Hoang's YouCaring page set up for his family after he died trying to retrieve his phone in the icy Chicago River. Source: Supplied

- The desperate family of a 16-month-old girl suffering a rare form of blood cancer has launched a worldwide appeal to try to a donor who could save her.
- The husband of a pregnant, brain-dead woman has now sued the hospital keeping her on life support as he battles to let her die.
- French President Francois Hollande says his "indignation is total" over a tabloid report that he is having a secret affair, saying it violates his privacy.

Margot Martini family. YouTube Source: YouTube

- A doctor who abducted and sold newborn babies has been given a suspended death sentence, in a case that drew widespread outrage.
- Britain has granted asylum to an atheist due to fears he would be prosecuted in his homeland, in what is likely the first case of its kind.
- Indonesia's Mount Sinabung has erupted more than 30 times, spewing lava and ash clouds and forcing 26,000 people to flee their homes.

Sinabung volcano spews hot ash and lava in Karo on January 14, 2014. More than 25,000 people have fled their homes following a series of eruptions and lava flows from Sinabung volcano in North Sumatra, an official said on January 12. AFP PHOTO / SUTANTA ADITYA Source: AFP

THAT'S BANANAS: TORTOISE BEATS HARE IN SKIING RACE
- Proving that slow and steady does pay off, a tortoise has beaten a rabbit in a skiing competition for pets and their owners.
- A woman has made fliers offering a case of beer and a pack of cigarettes as a reward for finding her lost dogs - and it worked.
- You can take the bourbon out of Kentucky, but you can't take the Kentucky out of the bourbon. The drink remains authentically American, whiskey insiders maintain - even when some of its distillers answer to foreign companies.

A tortoise beat a rabbit in a skiing competition held for pets and their owners in northern China. Source: AFP

- Girls worshipped as living goddesses in a centuries-old tradition, are to be awarded a pension to help them readjust to normal life.
- Clive Palmer isn't the only one dreaming of recreating the Titanic, after a Chinese theme park said it will build a full-scale replica of the doomed ocean liner.
- Monkeys at a zoo have been banned from eating bananas - because they are too unhealthy.

That's bananas... Monkeys at a British zoo have been banned from eating bananas because the fruit contains too many calories. Source: AP

CELEBRITY: ROLF HARRIS PLEADS NOT GUILTY
- Rolf Harris has arrived at a London court where he is expected to enter a not guilty pleas on multiple alleged sexual offences.
- Police are searching Justin Bieber's home for evidence in an egg-tossing vandalism case involving the pop star.
- Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr will perform at the Grammys, in a show that will also include Taylor Swift and Robin Thicke.
- Woody Allen had his own Golden Globes celebration in New York as he was feted in Hollywood and slammed on Twitter.

Old mates... Paul McCartney, left, and Ringo Starr will perform at the Grammy awards show. Source: AP

- Police have confirmed Kanye West is under investigation for allegedly punching a man who hurled racial slurs at Kim Kardashian.
- The Charlie Sheen circus keeps rolling on, with reports circulating that the volatile actor plans to evict ex-wife Denise Richards from her home.
- Ashlee Simpson is preparing to walk down the aisle a second time, with the singer confirming on Twitter that she's engaged to actor boyfriend, Evan Ross.

Court date... Artist and television personality Rolf Harris arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London. Source: Getty Images

SPORT: RONALDO TOLD TO LIFT HIS GAME
- Back in Spain and celebrating his Ballon d'Or triumph with his Real Madrid teammates, Cristiano Ronaldo is already being asked to do better.
- England coach Steve McNamara insists his move to the NRL will improve the national team's chances of ending their elusive search for major silverware.
- Sergio Aguero is poised to return to action after being named in the Manchester City squad for tomorrow's FA Cup third-round replay at home to Blackburn Rovers.

Ronaldo claims 2013 Ballon d'Or Source: AFP

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Inside Iran's creepy party island

The shipwreck known as "Greek Ship" is one of Kish's most popular attractions and photo-op sites, just beating out the empty building in the shape of a ship. Picture: Ryan P. McCarthy/VICE Source: Supplied

THIRTY-five years ago, Iran was a very different place than it is today. Shah Mohammad Reza Phalavi was in charge of the place, and it was pretty hopping.

Women wore Western clothing, and drinking and dancing were favourite pastimes.

The rundown Game's World on Kish. Picture: Ryan P. McCarthy/VICE Source: Supplied

The Shah aspired to build a Las Vegas - style tourist trap to bring in international dollars and provide a haven for Iran's elite. He chose Kish Island in the Persian Gulf to be the site of his new playground. Kish had it all: warm weather, beautiful beaches, and a generally liberal, laid-back populace.

Kish's nightlife is tame and featured 'famous' Iranian singers. Picture: Ryan P. McCarthy/VICE Source: Supplied

All that changed with the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini took power, and Iran's party scene became non-existent.

The closest thing you can get to liquor on Kish is a 'non-alcoholic malt beverage'. Picture: Ryan P. McCarthy/VICE Source: Supplied

Today's fundamentalist Iran is pretty much the last place in the world Westerners want to go and party, but this hasn't discouraged the current regime from trying to attract them to Kish.

A swimming pool in Kish. Picture: statigram Source: Supplied

In 1989, dismayed by the lack of international tourists, the government declared Kish Island a free zone. This new status meant there would be no taxes, no visas required to enter, and a more lax enforcement of moral laws. Women are allowed to wear their hijabs with a generous amount of hair showing, and swimming (although gender-segregated) and dancing are encouraged. All of these activities are verboten in most other parts of the country.

Legal party scene: A dinner-and-a-show venue. Picture: Ryan P. McCarthy/VICE Source: Supplied

Alas, Kish did not become a hot party destination. Instead of the island earning a reputation for its nightlife scene, it became known for its kidnapping scene. In 2007, former FBI agent Robert Levinson disappeared while visiting Kish. He's been captive ever since, which gives him the dubious title of the longest-held American hostage in US history.

Legal party scene: There were lasers, some small pyrotechnics, and even a fog machine as a singer performed. Picture: Ryan P. McCarthy/VICE Source: Supplied

After his capture, the US government issued a statement denying he was a CIA agent on a spying mission, and was simply there on holiday. Last year Associated Press broke the real story, a Jason Bourne-esqe saga of intel gathering CIA agents on a rogue mission that, the AP said, had paid Levinson to gather intel.

These undated photographs show former FBI agent Robert Levinson, who vanished in Iran nearly six years ago. Source: AFP

Despite this messy history, last summer Iran's new president, Hassan Rouhani, told voters he wanted to increase tourism on Kish, largely due to the heavily sanctioned government's desperate need for foreign currency.

Kish Cable Ski Park. Picture: statigram / @kishcableskipark Source: Supplied

Unsurprisingly, no one is showing up. The majority of tourists are Iranian, and the few others are migrant workers from Dubai who had to leave the UAE due to expired visas, many of whom have been treated badly and being taken advantage of.

To the surprise of no one except the Iranian government, Westerners tend to avoid spending time off in countries where citizens occasionally chant things like "Death to America".

This is an extract from an article that originally appeared on vice.com.

A person in an unlicensed American cartoon character costume running around, giving kids nightmares and looking for tips. Picture: Ryan P. McCarthy/VICE Source: Supplied

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Rolf Harris denies all charges

Accused... Rolf Harris had not commented on the allegations directly since he was first named in the press in April. Source: Getty Images

ENTERTAINER Rolf Harris has appeared in a London court to plead his innocence on 12 charges related to sexual offences spanning almost 20 years including the assault of a seven-year-old girl.

The 83-year-old Australian dressed in a smart navy suit and red tie stood in the dock of Court 9 of Southwark Crown Court in London to plead not guilty to each of the charges related to alleged indecent assaults of four girls between 1968 to 1986.

He is charged with a further four offences of making indecent images of a child between March and July 2012 but it yet to be arraigned on those.

For the first time the court heard some detail of the alleged offences including the nature of the assaults which included digital penetration and oral sex of a 15 year-old girl between April 1980 to April 1981 and touching that girl on the breasts and genitalia again about four years later when she was 19 years old.

Support base ... Rolf Harris was flanked by family and friends at today's court appearance.

He was also charged with three counts of indecent assault including one of digital penetration of a 14-year-old girl on May 31, 1986, indecently touching another girl in 1968 when she seven or eight and one count of rubbing the buttocks of a 14-year-old between January 1975 and January 1976.

The identity of the women cannot be revealed for legal reasons.

As each charge was read out, the entertainer clearly declared "not guilty" when asked how he pled. He was supported in court by about a dozen family members and supporters including his wife Alwen Hughes and daughter Bindi. The group was escorted into court by a private security detail.

Court date... Artist and television personality Rolf Harris arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London.

Harris hummed to himself as he entered the court building, on the banks of the River Thames, pushing his wife in a wheelchair.

He looked healthier than he did in his previous court appearance where he appeared to be frail and struggle to take his seat.

During the almost one-hour hearing he nodded assurances to family and friends.

Prosecutor Sasha Wass told the court the four charges relating to indecent photographs of a child allegedly found on Harris' computer were still being analysed by experts engaged by the defence counsel who suggested these charges may be dismissed at a later stage.

Long career... British-based Australian artist and entertainer Rolf Harris stands with his portrait of the Queen.

There are to be at least two pre-trial hearings before the trial proper starts on April 30. His bail conditions remained the same including that he not approach the scheduled 11 witnesses directly or indirectly and stay at the home address he previously gave to the court unless he otherwise notifies the court.

There was about half an hour of legal argument related to how the case could be reported at these early stages; such was the interest the hearing was a ticketed event with 30 media able to enter the court room but double that number of camera crews and other media outside behind a police cordon and erected steel barriers.

Justice Nigel Sweeney invited media representatives from both the UK and Australia to speak to the open court on issues related to reportage of certain facts. News Corporation Australia spoke for the Australian media on laws related to jurisdiction.

Sticking together ... Rolf Harris pushing his wife outside the court.

Justice Sweeney briefly adjourned the hearing to check what was already being published on the internet. He returned to dismiss a request by defence counsel for some aspects not to be reported at this time, since they were already "emblazoned" across the net. He ruled alleged offences contained in the charges could be reported together with the fact Harris had yet to be arraigned on the four other charges.

The Australian artist, musician and television presenter was arrested last year by Scotland Yard officers working on Operation Yewtree, the British national investigation launched after abuse claims were made against entertainer Jimmy Savile.

There were three strands to Yewtree; those related directly to the actions of the now deceased Savile, actions of those connected to Savile and "others" which emerged during the course of the investigation. Harris was arrested by officers from the latter strand and there is no connection between the two men or any other cases related to Savile.

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Kids' grog supply set to dry up

Tough new laws making it an offence to supply alcohol to underage children without parental consent is one of more than 100 recommendations under consideration by the Barnett Government, following a review of WA's liquor controls. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

TOUGH new laws making it an offence to supply alcohol to underage children without parental consent is one of more than 100 recommendations under consideration by the Barnett Government, following a review of WA's liquor controls.

An independent review of our state's liquor laws was commissioned by Racing and Gaming Minister Terry Waldron in December 2012.

The findings of the 270-page review were released today and include 141 recommendations for changes to the State's liquor laws.

Among them, 14 recommendations relating to juveniles and young people including:

● Secondary supply" laws which make it an offence to supply alcohol to a child without their parents' consent.

● Giving police powers to conduct sting operations at license premises.

● Giving police powers to seize alcohol found in the possession of underage children.

● Fines up to $2000 for altering identification documents, such as a proof of age card, or for helping someone else to change their ID.

Allowing all liquor stores to trade between 10am and 10pm on Sundays, changes to the public interest test and removal of the requirement to serve alcohol with a meal have also been recommended.

Mr Waldron said he would meet stakeholder groups about the review over the next two to three weeks, before preparing a submission to Cabinet.

"I will take it to Cabinet (who) will obviously give it their full consideration," he said.

"Once they have reached a position we will respond and we will then draft legislation and I indeed hope that I can introduce that legislation into the spring session of Parliament."

Liquor Review Committee chairman John Aitkins said WA's "attitude towards alcohol" was one of the issues considered by the committee.

"There is a reason that we regulate the supply and consumption of liquor in our society and that primarily relates for the potential of liquor when consumed to cause harm," he said.

"So in conducting this review we have looked very carefully at that, realising of course that the legitimate concerns of the community and their ability to access alcohol need also to be considered and balances against harm and the potential for harm.

"Alongside that there is a desire among industry participants to be able to carry on their businesses free from unnecessary regulation and overbearing compliance that has ha d to be balances as well."

Mr Waldron said he was not in a position to comment about specific recommendations of the review, as he only received it himself today, but said all of them would be considered.

"The one thing I think John and the committee would have found is when it comes to the Liquor Act and issues around liquor everyone has different opinions, etc," he said.

"John used the word balance.

"That's something I have tried to use a lot when talking about alcohol and that's our aim is to strike that right balance.

"Where that balance is probably depends a bit on how people look at it. I would expect a really robust debate in the Parliament and I think that's a good thing."

McCusker Centre for Action on Alcohol and Youth director, Professor Mike Daube, welcomed the report.

"This is an excellent report with recommendations that could do much to reduce alcohol harms and improve the alcohol culture in WA," he said.

"The report's recommendations are strong and wide-ranging. The committee should be congratulated on its focus on protecting young people and the community."

The full review is available online at www.rgl.wa.gov.au

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Penalties flagged for private pole owners

The devastated scene caused by Sunday's Perth Hills bushfire. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: News Limited

PENALTIES for landowners who fail to maintain their private power poles have been flagged by the Emergency Services Minister and WA's fire boss.

Sunday's devastating blaze, which destroyed 52 homes, is believed to have been started by a fallen power pole on a private property.

Minister Joe Francis and Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Wayne Gregson said given the speculation cause of the blaze it could be time to start looking at measures to enforce landowners to maintain private power poles, possibly introducing penalties.

Laws to regulate the upkeep of those poles will be scrutinised when the bushfire is reviewed by authorities.

Support the Perth Hills Bushfire Appeal

Mr Gregson said if an investigation confirms a pole started Sunday's fire, it would be the third incident started in such a way since the Toodyay bushfires and appear to be a "recurring factor."

He said it could be time to review the responsibilities placed on homeowners to maintain poles on their land.

"It does seem to me that if you've got a recurring causal factor for bushfires then it's time to have a discussion on those issues,'' he said.

Mr Gregson said the department would give "frank advice'' to the government when it reviewed the incident.

"There are some questions around power poles,'' he said.

"Who's authorised to do that inspection, what sort of responsibility or obligation ought there be on others to ensure that work is done?''

Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis said the private power pole issue could be discussed during a review of the incident, but did not want to pre-empt changes.

"I've always said I think there needs to be a balance between regulation and responsibility,'' he said.

Mr Francis said more heat and strong winds were forecast for this weekend.

"There's no guarantees that this isn't the last major incident of the year. We have to be prepared,'' he said.

The devastating fire could have been 10 times worse if fire crews did not intervene.

This afternoon, Mr Joe Francis said software developed with the University of WA, with State and Federal funding, helped tackle Sunday's Parkerville fire.

Mr Francis said the software used satellite imaging and gathered information of the land and weather at the location of a fire.

He said if firefighting efforts had not happened, the fire could have engulfed almost 4500 hectares.

A map released shows the fire would have stretched from Parkerville up past Mt Helena into Chidlow and almost across into Gidgegannup.

Authorities are hoping to downgrade the alert from a watch and act to an advice level by tomorrow evening or Thursday morning.

Twitter @KaitlynPST

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Emotions boil over at meeting

Emotions boiled over at the community meeting in Swan View with one Stoneville resident raging private power poles aren't inspected the way pool fences are.

Brown Park community centre community meeting. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: News Limited

Residents writing for permission to return to their homes. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: News Limited

ANGER over the suspected cause of the catastrophic Perth Hills inferno spilt over at a community meeting this morning, with one furious resident demanding answers from Western Power.

Stoneville local Matthew Leverington interjected at the Swan View briefing while Western Power was explaining the process of reinstating power to ask why the utility did not inspect private power poles the way councils checked pool fences.

Authorities are investigating whether a power pole on private land in Parkerville was to blame for the devastating blaze that gutted more than 50 homes.

"Private power lines are the responsibility of the house owner, I understand that, just like a pool fence is the responsibility of the house owner and a gun safe is the responsibility of the house owner," Mr Leverington said.

"The difference is pool fences are inspected, gun safes are inspected, why aren't power lines?"

The Western Power spokesman said private poles were the responsibility of the owner and brochures advising them of their responsibilities had been sent out last year.

A fuming Mr Leverington, 21, continued to demand an answer, which was met with scattered applause as he pointed to a map showing the extent of the fire.

Toodyay fire victim Laurie Biggs told the crowd he understood there were issues with Western Power, but urged residents to stay calm.

"I'm very critical of Western Power, but Western Power are doing all they can so that you guys can go back up," he said.

"Yes, there is a problem with power poles in our State, a big problem.

"I understand the anger, I've had the anger. But believe me, they will get you connected ASAP, I was connected with no home but a power pole within eight days. Yes, there is a problem but they are trying to help you."

After the meeting, Mr Leverington spoke with a Western Power representative who told him they were reviewing the pamphlet EnergySafety had issued for power pole owners.

"We're working with EnergySafety, we're working with the Government and Western Power are seeing how we can work together to see how we can get people to manage their poles," she said.

Earlier in the meeting, DFES announced they would be trialling a new permit system to allow people access to their homes in the "warm zone."

The permits will allow residents from 1pm today to go up to their property and check on it.

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Blackened mess confronts fire victims

Narla Retreat fire victims have slowly started to have their first look at the devastation caused by Sundays inferno that destroyed 52 homes.

ONLY when she saw how the windows in her house had melted, not shattered, did the true ferocity of the Perth Hills bushfire hit home for Stacey Delich.

Allowed to return to her Stoneville property for the first time today, Ms Delich was confronted with a blackened mess where her life used to be.

The photos she had been sent and viewed on her phone did not do the damage justice.

"The glass didn't shatter, it melted," Ms Delich said.

The ruins of homes destroyed in Matthews Way, Stoneville. Picture: Colin Murty

"It's emotional but we can only do so much now. It's hard to get anything done right now and have a proper look.

"We will have to contact the insurance company and see if we can salvage anything. If we can find anything, that's a bonus."

A family of collectors, Ms Delich's mother-in-law had lost a doll collection worth tens of thousands of dollars and her father two classic cars.

The ruins of homes destroyed in Matthews Way, Stoneville. Picture: Colin Murty

Trophies and medals from her grandfather's soccer career were also reduced to ash.

"They're things that can't be found any more ... they're all gone," Ms Delich said.

More than 50 families who already knew their homes had been swept away by Sunday's fierce firestorm were allowed to return the charred ruins for the first time today.

The ruins of homes destroyed in Matthews Way, Stoneville. Picture: Colin Murty

For hundreds of others however, the extent of the damage is still unknown, as they prepare to return to the cold reality of what authorities are calling the "warm zone".

Brian and Margaret Griffin, Hills residents for 14 years, saw flames lapping at their generator shed before they left and are hopeful their home has been spared.

"We just saw the smoke and the helitac going around and less than 20 minutes later we saw the flames so we got out," Ms Griffin said.

The ruins of homes destroyed in Matthews Way, Stoneville. Picture: Colin Murty

"We were right on the edge."

The Griffins, like scores of others, queued for permits which would allow them to return to their homes through the continuing roadblocks and hoped to assess the damage later today.

Neighbour Jason Gauchi was also in the dark, and living in hope. He and his family, including children aged 20 months and three months, were planning to move into their dream Hills home next week.

"It was just going to be a complete change in the lifestyle - now it is just a lot of unknowns," he said.

Colin and Sue Daniels have lived in the Perth Hills for 28 years and were sure their home had been destroyed.

But no news from the Mundaring shire, who contacted all those whose properties had been destroyed, was extremely good news.

"On the video flyover (taken from a fire authority helicopter), I think I saw the roof of our house and it looks in one piece," Mr Daniels said.

He admitted his personal relief was mixed with guilt.

But Ms Delich said those who were lucky should not feel guilty about it. "It's bad luck and that's all it is," she said.

"We live in the bush and we know it can happen, and unfortunately it happened to us."

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More photos of Bali pair's room

Qld authorities are examining the bodies of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff to determine what killed them.

MORE photos of what police saw when they entered Noelene and Yvana Bischoff's hotel room in Bali have emerged.

Police photos taken inside the room where they became desperately ill in Bali show a bag of medications lying open on a dresser and their luggage and personal belongings.

But they provide little clues as to what may have caused their sudden deaths more than a week ago.

What killed them remains a mystery ... Noelene Bischoff and her 14-year-old daughter Yvana. Picture: AAP Source: AAP

The photos, obtained by News Corp Australia, show their suitcases and other bags and show that a toiletry bag of medications had been opened on a small dressing table.

Two asthma inhalers of ventolin were lying on top, along with a strip of bronchial tablets. One of the asthma inhalers was expired in June 2007 and the other had an expiry date of 2015. Ms Bischoff's prescription migraine tablets are also at the top along with a small bottle of perfume.

What police found inside the room where Noelene and Yvana Bischoff stayed at the Padang Bai Beach Resort in Bali. Source: Supplied

An empty blister wrapper of an anti-nasuea tablet called Onestron was discarded on the floor. Police say that some medicine packets were also on the dresser and on the bed.

A small purple backpack and a plastic bag of what appears to be washing lies next to the bed, along with a pair of thongs.

A colourful hard suitcase sits next to the dressing table and another toiletries bag is on the dresser as well along with an empty packet of Popcorners brand gluten-free popcorn - all signs of holiday-makers on a carefree vacation.

New photos revealing what police first found nside Noelene and Yvana Bischoff's room at Padang Bai Beach Resort in Bali. Source: Supplied

Police have said the medication bag contained 29 different prescription and non-prescription medications, including ordinary over the counter painkillers and anti-diarrhoea tablets, vitamins, electrolytes, along with other anti-allergy and anti-nausea drugs. Medical professionals say they are all indicative of someone with medical knowledge taking every precaution while on an overseas holiday.

Police photo revealing what they saw inside Noelene and Yvana Bischoff's room. Source: Supplied

Noelene, 54, a highly-respected Sunshine Coast nursing manager, and her 14-year-old daughter Yvana, became critically ill on the evening of Friday January 3 in their room at the Padang Bai Beach Resort in East Bali.

Their sudden deaths remain a mystery and their grieving family hopes that autopsies, currently underway in Queensland, will provide them with some answers.

The pair became ill after dinner on the Friday night at the hotel and both passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning. Neither had shown any sign of illness during the day, according to the driver who drove them around for seven hours and dropped them off at the hotel where they planned to stay two nights before catching a boat to the Gili Islands.

Penta Medica clinic where Noelene Bischoff and her daughter Yvana went in Padang Bai, Karangasem, Bali. Source: No Source

Police in Bali say there was no immediate indication of a crime or of violence and that tests on vomit and liquids from inside their room showed nothing suspicious.

The family decided to have their bodies taken home to Australia and for autopsies to be conducted there rather than in Bali.

Police Commissioner Adnan Pandibu said yesterday that police in Bali will continue their investigation, pending autopsy results in Australia. Officers have interviewed staff at the two hotels where they stayed along with staff from both restaurants where they ate on their last day.

Doctors say it's not unusual that almost 30 medications were found in the hotel room of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff, Bali's sudden death victims.

Staff at the Padang Bai Beach Resort, where they became ill, will today (wed) hold a Hindu cleansing ceremony at the room in a bid to help everyone move on from the tragedy.

Padang Bai Beach in Karangasem where Noelene Bischoff and her daughter Yvana holidayed. Source: Supplied

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Fire safety 'not getting through'

Residents affected by the fire attend a community meeting held at Brown Park Community Centre. It was suggested that this resident had just heard the news her home had been destroyed. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

WA'S emergency services minister Joe Francis says fire safety is not getting through to bushfire-prone residents.

More than 500 fire victims who packed a 10am community meeting in the wake of the Perth Hills inferno have been told they will not be able to access their properties for several days.

And more than a dozen roadblocks are expected to remain in place across Parkerville, Stoneville and Mount Helena in the shire of Mundaring today because the first zone is too unsafe for residents to enter because of fallen power poles, debris and spot fires.

Support the Perth Hills Bushfire Appeal

There were emotional scenes at the meeting, which was held at the fire evacuation centre at Brown Park in Swan View.

After the meeting, Mr Francis told reporters the message of fire safety was not getting through to some members of the community.

"We know of stories of people who have done the right thing, but some people don't, and living in a bushfire area you've got to take some responsibility," he said.

"A lot of people have been doing the right thing and getting their houses bushfire ready, but it is disappointing when you hear stories of people at one o'clock in the afternoon yesterday on the roof with blower vacs blowing out their gutters.

"Hopefully now, we're still at the start of a very challenging bushfire season, this is the last of this, but there's no guarantee."

Mr Francis said thoughts and prayers were with the victims.

He said 46 houses were destroyed and he warning bells had been ringing "for some time" that a disaster out fire would happen.

"We've been saying for some time that is is going to be a very very challenging bush fire season," he said.

"The catastrophic fire that we've seen the last 24 hours is something that we always thought could happen but we prayed wouldn't.

"Unfortunately our prayers haven't been answered."

There is speculation within the community that a power pole sparked the disastrous blaze.

Mr Francis said an investigation would continue into what started the fire.

However he said his best understanding at the moment was that it was not a Western Power pole that started the fire.

"But I don't want to set that in concrete, we will find out," he said.

People react emotionally at a community meeting in Mundaring. Picture: Colin Murty . Source: News Limited

Government announces relief funding

Also in Parkerville this morning, Acting Premier Kim Hames announced the State Government would provide $1 million to The Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund for the victims of the Parkerville Stoneville Bushfire.

Immediate support is available to displaced residents through the Department of Child Protection for food and clothing.

The State Government will also give $3000 in cash to those who have lost homes and $1000 fort hose who have damaged homes, available through through the Mundaring Shire.

Dr Hames said the $1 million would be available in he next few weeks.

"For those who do want to donate and do want to help, I encourage them to do it through The Lord Mayor's distress fund, and the best thing isn't to donate goods, but to donate the funds for things that are actually needed," he said.

Jean Limbert, 81, is anxious as she does not know if her house is standing. Picture: Colin Murty Source: News Limited

Grim news revealed

Forty-sixhomes have been confirmed destroyed. There are reports of two other homes also lost. But the toll is likely to rise with only 70 per cent of the fire area surveyed.

Most residents who have lost their home have now been informed of the grim news but others remain in the dark, with some angry at what they described as a lack of information from authorities. Others said they knew their homes were gone from news images and conversations with neighbours, despite receiving no official confirmation.

A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said a list of properties could not be given out publicly because owners needed to be told in private.

Sixty fire appliances remain at the scene, along with 250 firefighters. More than 650 hectares have been burnt.

Acting Superintendent Wayne Hawes urged residents: ``Just be patient please, we're doing the best job we can. For security purposes, the road blocks have been fixed, in support of that we have roving patrols in the area.

"We've had no reports of looting at this stage, we've had no reports of people going into the area, so at this moment we are content with our security levels."

After the meeting many residents said they were frustrated they could not get to their homes.

Tearful Richardson Road resident Pauline Watson told PerthNow her house had been saved, but her neighbours had lost their home.

Residents affected by the fire attend a community meeting held at Brown Park Community Centre. Many brought their pets along. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

"We were so fortunate," she said.

"We stayed home for four hours and the amount of services... it's unbelievable. We got out about 3pm when it flared up on the property next to us, I begged my husband to go, so we got both of our cars and got out.

"Our house is fine, the one opposite us is gone and a lot on Riley Rd have gone.

"It was just pure luck to be honest, nothing else."

Mrs Watson said she was staying with family now. The assistance had been "wonderful" but "maybe prevention would be better than a cure."

"Prevention is always lacking and the fuel is enormous," she said.

Chidlow resident Garry Kelly helped with the fire by trying to protect friends' houses.

"It was fuelled by the wind, it didn't go very wide but it went very fast," Mr Kelly said.

"We just went from different property to different property making sure that animals were okay and making sure people who were away on holidays, we could give them just a piece of mind that their properties and animals were alright."

Residents affected by the fire attend a community meeting held at Brown Park Community Centre. Many brought their pets along. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

Mr Kelly said police, firefighters and emergency workers yesterday were ``fantastic''.

"We were standing there yesterday in front of 20ft flames and just went down and asked one officer if he was okay for water, you could see the flames just roaring past," he said.

Residents were told the fire is contained but still burning out of control is some pockets.

Meanwhile, residents who stayed to defend their homes and remain inside the fire zone have been urged to stay put and not try and leave.

Premier Colin Barnett attended the meeting.

At the meeting, the Salvation Army was on hand to provide hot food for the evacuees and the Department of Child Protection was also providing support.

Another community meeting will be held at Brown Park again at 4pm today.

Twitter @KaitlynPST

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Hills homes 'built to burn'

NOT even Superman could save the many houses in the Perth Hills that have basically been "built to burn" because they are not prepared for the bushfire season, a Perth expert warns.

Roger Underwood, a bushfire specialist and former general manager of CALM, said the "stay or go" message had been simplified to the point where it had actually become "terribly dangerous".

Mr Underwood told PerthNow he feared that yesterday's devastating Parkerville blaze, which killed one man and destroyed at least 44 homes, will not be seen as a wake-up call for many residents.

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He was horrified to hear residents were attempting to clean their overflowing gutters once they saw the bushfire's smoke - preparation that should have been completed months ago.

"Some of these people have read the literature that says often in a bushfire situation you are safer staying home than you are if you leave too late and you get caught on the road in amongst falling powerlines and falling trees and fire trucks," Mr Underwood said.

"What happened in Victoria on Black Saturday is a lot of people left their homes and then they were caught on the roads and died in their cars. People have read about that and I think the two reasons people stay behind is because they think they can save their house and assets, and/or they think they're safer there.

"This message has got around that you've got to stay or go and that is a terribly dangerous message because it's an abbreviation of the message that was originally designed after Ash Wednesday - which was stay if you are well prepared, and if you decided to go, go early.

"That's the full message and that's the correct message."

Mr Underwood said many people mistakenly believed they would not be affected by a bushfire, or that firefighters would be able to save them.

"A lot of people have no idea about the sort of speed at which a bushfire travels or the intensity of a fire," he said,

A fire in Stoneville has led to evacuations and loss of property. Resident Rob Coumbe thanks fellow resident Sam Inu for saving his house from being burnt down. Sam has been touted a hero for saving four other families houses from being burnt down. Rob and Sam live on Narla Retreat in Stoneville. Source: News Limited

"And if they stay and they haven't properly prepared their property or they are not themselves able bodied, fit people with the right sort of equipment, then they are asking for trouble.

"And I've seen many, many houses in the hills area of Perth where if you were Superman and you stayed behind, you wouldn't be able to protect the house.

"These houses are just so vulnerable. They're sitting within long unburnt, dense bushland, hills, with flammable vegetation right up to the walls of the house, gutters full of dead leaves. No one can protect those houses - they have been built to burn and they do burn.

"But on the other hand, if you are a fit young person, able bodied, you've got all the right equipment, you've cleared around your house to a distance of 50 metres out, you've got your own water supply, you've got your own power supply, all of those sorts of things and you've got a refuge area prepared within the house … if you've done all of that, then you are very likely to survive - and your house is very likely to survive.

"If you live in the (Perth) Hills area, which is a bushfire prone zone, you don't leave it until five minutes before the fire arrives to start doing your preparation.

"Unfortunately I don't think (yesterday's blaze) will be a wake-up call - in the last five years in WA, we have lost more houses than we have in the previous 50 years.

"We have had inquiries, we had the Keelty inquiry, we had hundreds of recommendations, and we have all sorts of people trying… but nothing seems to change on the ground. People just don't take any notice of it.

"I talk to a lot of people that live out in the hills and I come up against two very common attitudes - the first is it will never happen to me, there'll be a bushfire but we'll be right. The second thing they say is if there's a fire the guys in the yellow overalls and red trucks will appear at the door and the helicopter will be overhead and I'll be saved.

A fire in Stoneville has led to evacuations and loss of property. A resident on Ayres Road discovers the house has been burnt down. Source: News Limited

"I say to them you're one house in a street of 100 houses which is in a suburb of 10,000 houses and there's only two or three gangs firefighters that can turn up."

While some Perth Hills' residents chose to stay and defend their properties yesterday, others gathered their loved ones, pets and treasured belongings and headed for safety.

New Zealand truck driver Sam Inu, who has been credited with saving four of his neighbours' home from fire using just an esky, said he could not leave his home.

"You can't let your home burn," he told PerthNow. "You've got to do what you can. You've gotta defend your castle.''

Associate Professor Grant Wardell-Johnson, from Curtin University's Department of Environment and Agriculture, said a decision on whether to stay or go must be made "very early".

He said it was vital for residents living in fire-prone areas to have a well-considered plan because the longer they waited to leave their properties, the greater the danger.

"My view is that whatever the decision - it needs to be made very early," Associate Professor Wardell-Johnson said.

The Department of Fire and Emergency urges every resident living in bushfire-prone areas to be prepared - long before you are actually faced with the decision to stay or go.

Authorities advise homeowners only to stay and defend their property if they have done the necessary preparation work beforehand.

"During a bushfire, the safest place to be is away from the fire," the DFES says.

"Being involved in a fire may be one of the most traumatic experiences of your life.

"You and your family's survival and safety depend on the decisions you make now and how you act.

"Put your safety first - do not wait and see.

"Any decision you make should be based on survival - homes can be rebuilt. If a fire starts, leaving hours before a fire can reach you will always be the safest option for you, your family or household.

"Only stay and defeond your home if it is well prepared and constructed, and you are capable of actively depending it. Prepare for the emotional, mental and physical impact of actively defending your property.

"If you have any doubts about defending your home, you should leave."

A fire in Stoneville has led to evacuations and loss of property. A house on Ayres Road is lost to the flames. Source: News Limited

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'Hero' saves four homes with esky

Resident Rob Coumbe thanks Sam Inu for saving his house from the Perth Hills fire. Picture: Jackson Flindell Source: PerthNow

HE'S been dubbed a hero of yesterday's Perth Hills bushfire, saving four of his neighbours' homes from fire using just an esky after flames melted his garden hose.

New Zealand truck driver Sam Inu, 39, refused to back down when thick smoke and flames descended on his Parkland Road home in the Perth Hills suburb of Stoneville.

One man has died and at least 44 homes have been destroyed in the fires.

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Using a 40-litre esky-like drinks bucket and refilling it from a neighbour's pool, he dashed back and forth repeatedly between the properties, dousing flames as they began licking homes.

When his own own appeared safe, Mr Inu turned his attention to the home of neighbours, including Rob Combe, whose home he also managed to save from the inferno.

This morning, Mr Inu told how he was forced to use the esky after flames melted his garden hose.

"I had to flank that fire. There was no-one else there do it. My garden hose melted so you've got to use what you've got laying around,'' he said.

"You can't let your home burn. You've got to do what you can. You've gotta defend your castle.''

But the Kiwi said he wasn't a hero.

"Nah, nah, no such thing. The firefighters and the volunteers, they're the real heroes. They're the ones who stand and fight,'' he said.

"I don't care what they (the authorities) say. You've got to strand and fight and defend your home."

Mr Inu said "nothing'' was going through his mind but saving his house.

"I just didn't want my house to burn, I wasn't going to let a fire take my house,'' he said.

Mr Inu has lived in Perth for a year and works as a truck driver for NZ demolition company Busy Bros.

When he spoke to PerthNow this morning, he'd had only one hour of sleep and was still helping firefighters douse "hot spots'" along his street.

"It's under control but there's still a few burning stumps and other hot spots we're trying to put out,'' he said.

"Down the street we lost a shed and I think two or three homes, but it could have been a lot worse. It could have been a hell of a lot worse.''

PerthNow photographer Jackson Flindell was in the thick of the firefight and witnessed Mr Inu's heroic actions yesterday.

"The first thing Sam said to Rob after Rob returned to his house was, 'Sorry for braking your fence bro!'.  He had to smash the fence down to get in and put the flames out,'' Flindell said.

Firefighters are battling a blaze in Perth that's destroyed 27 homes and has been linked to a man's death.

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Police prepare fire death report

Firefighters battle the devastating blaze in Perth Hills. Picture: DFES Source: Supplied

POLICE are expected to prepare a report for the Coroner in relation to the death of the 62-year-old man who died yesterday as he made preparations to defend his home from the massive fire.

The man collapsed on the roof of his Hovea home just before 1pm yesterday.

Support the Perth Hills Bushfire Appeal

It's understood he was in the middle of making preparations to defend his home from the blaze when he collapsed on the roof.

"This death has been reported to Coroner and the circumstances will be investigated by the police who will in the fullness of time provide the Coroner with their report," a Coroner's court spokeswoman said.

St John Ambulance crews and firefighters eventually got to the man after initially having trouble gaining access to the roof, but he died at the scene.

"St John responded to the incident but was unable to access the roof. Despite assistance from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services in getting onto the roof, the man passed away at the scene," a SJA spokesman said yesterday.

The 62-year-old man's name has not yet been released.

Police may release his name later today.

Another man, aged 52, who fell through the roof of his house in Stoneville yesterday as the blaze engulfed the area was taken to Royal Perth Hospital.

He was in a serious but stable condition in hospital last night.

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52 homes destroyed, missing four found

Relief has emerged from the Perth Hills bushfire disaster after four people previously unaccounted for were found safe and well.

Vision taken from Matthews Way, Stoneville, where eight houses were burnt in yesterday's bushfire. Courtesy Colin Murty, The Australian.

Firefighters battle the devastating blaze in Perth Hills. Picture: DFES Source: Supplied

Bushfires raged across Perth, claiming one life and destroying at least 27 homes.

Residents affected by the fire attend a community meeting held at Brown Park Community Centre. It was suggested that this resident had just heard the news her home had been destroyed. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

THE devastation continues to mount in the Perth Hills bushfire disaster with 52 homes confirmed lost.

But relief has emerged this afternoon after four missing people feared to have been victims of the blaze were found safe.

Police and fire authorities spent most of today desperately trying to find four locals missing since yesterday's devastating fires.

Meanwhile, firefighters were aided by the cooler weather today, with the blaze contained but not under control. A watch and act alert remains for the eastern part of Parkerville, Stoneville and Mount Helena.

Many residents will return to their fire-ravaged homes for the first time tomorrow with escorted visits planned. Further information will be revealed at a community meeting at 10am.

Support the Perth Hills Bushfire Appeal

Earlier today, Fire Commissioner Wayne Gregson said authorities were unsure if the four people were in the fire zone amid fears they had possibly fallen "victim to the fire".

But the Department of Fire and Emergency Services late this afternoon confirmed the people had either been tracked down or had reported to authorities.

A DFES spokeswoman said three of the four missing, all unrelated, were not in the fire zone at the time of the blaze, while one person remained at home protecting their house.

People had left the fire zone and were with family or friends or at another of their residences. DFES had sent its urban search and rescue team to look for the people.

Stephanie Bock, 27, walks past her burnt out neighbour's house with a bag of her personal belongings. Picture: Colin Murty Source: News Limited

Escorted returns tomorrow

The owners of those 52 gutted homes will be escorted to the charred ruins by shire and DFES officials tomorrow.

Another community meeting will be held at 10am tomorrow at Brown Park in Swan View.

People at a community meeting this afternoon were told 49 homes were gutted. DFES later confirmed the toll had reached 52 homes.

DFES Commander Stuart Wade told the meeting that some of the homes confirmed lost in the blaze were on Richardson Road, Riley Road, Matthews Way, Fennel Court and Cousins Way.

Cdr Wade told the several hundred people at the meeting 85 per cent of the fire had been tracked.

Cdr Wade said those who had lost their homes had been notified. He said those people would be escorted to see their homes tomorrow.

But he said it would be "a number of days" before most residents can get complete access to their homes which are in the fire zone.

He said this was due to major "hot spots" which were still active in the fire zone.

He said there was a case of a resident today who had gone back into the fire zone who later burnt their feet and hands.

"Firefighting resources were then redeployed looking for that person," he said.

"That was taken away from the efforts that we wold normally do."

Picture gallery: Carnage from the air

Stay and go message 'terribly dangerous'

Firefighters want to battle on

Residents 'can't go home for days'

Acting WA Police Superintendent Wayne Dawes used the afternoon community briefing to allay concerns there were reports of looting in the fire-affected areas.

He said there was no confirmation of any looting.

It's understood the resident who burnt his hands and feet today in the fire zone was one of the four previously unaccounted for.

It's believed he later presented himself to hospital after being burned.

Tears and disbelief

Noelene Michels, from Helena Valley, said she knew her house was close to the fire zone and that her son was still there, but she could not reach him due to roadblocks.

"We think it is ok, but we can't get through to check," she said.

Sally and Gary Elwood, from nearby Narla Retreat, already knew their home of 30 years was gone.

"I am a bit shocked, but until I physically see, it won't hit me fully, but I have seen it on Facebook so I know it is ours," Ms Elwood said.

"I know it is gone, but my glass is half full - the kids are fine, everyone is fine. We will just rebuild, at 48 - bloody hell."

Some of those at the 4pm meeting today were people who had lost their homes.

PerthNow spoke briefly to two separate couples - one in their 20s while the other middle aged - whose properties have been confirmed destroyed.

Both were too devastated to speak.

The young woman was in tears as she spoke with officials after the meeting and was too upset to speak any further.

Stoneville resident Paula Sajtinac lost her home to a bushfire in 2008. She was at the meeting at 4pm today and rose to speak at the meeting to extend her condolences to those affected.

"These people are in for a rough ride," she told PerthNow after the meeting.

"It affects you mentally, physically…everything."

Ms Sajtinac said as far as she was aware her home was still standing.

"We can't rest, it's so frustrating, until we know that that fire is out, we can start breathing again," she said.

"The fire came within three streets of my home but I just want to see it so that I know I still have a home.

"I can't live through that again…my heart goes out to all these people."

Firefighters battle against the devastating bushfire in Perth's Hills. Picture: Department of Fire and Emergency Services Source: Supplied

Geoff Bromilow, who lives on Conradi Place in Stoneville, left his home on Sunday with his partner, two dogs and his cat.

"We chose to get going, we rounded all the stuff we needed in terms of clothing and we have not been back since," Mr Bromilow said.

He added a neighbour of his had stayed to defend his property.

"As neighbours we have concerns for him…he said the front of our house looks ok," he said.

"But he also said his clothesline is like a dollop of plastic on the ground.

"I've been through quite a few bushfires and this is along the lines of one of the worst I have been around.

"A lot of where it (the fire) was, was hard to access so it made it a lot harder for the people trying to put it out."

Mundaring Shire president Helen Dullard said many residents were relieved to escape the flames.

"Visually, it was a very ugly fire. It was scary," she said.

The fate of livestock and pets is unknown but residents are bracing for the worst, while some firefighters have been treated for heat exhaustion and bee stings.

'It could have been a lot worse'

Fire chief Wayne Gregson said while heartbreaking the damage could have been much worse as more than 400 properties were at risk.

"We had done significant planning in regards to the amount of available resources," he said.

"I believe all of those preparatory efforts made a great difference to the way in which we were able to respond, there were a number of fires across the metropolitan area.

"We dealt with over 200 fires at the weekend, five or six of those were major incidents for us, including this one here.

"The damage was awful and I feel very sorry for those who lost their homes, but it could have been a lot worse.

"There were over 400 residential dwellings in the front of the fire, the intensity of the fire was such that it was unassailable in the front, firefighters had to fight the flanks."

A fire in Stoneville has led to evacuations and loss of property. A house on Narla Retreat is lost to the flames. Source: News Limited

DFES says the fire has been ``contained, not completely controlled''.

``There are few hotspots to the flank of the fire. We expect it to be under control by mid-afternoon. The weather is now on our side,'' the spokesman said.

One firefighter is being treated for a knee injury and DFES said their personnel had suffered ``no significant injuries'', despite working long shifts through the night and battling exhaustion to continue their efforts to contain the blaze.

Facebook page set up to help fire victims

Residents wait and worry to find out about their homes

Police investigate fire death

The fire has burnt more than 650ha. A 62-year-old Hovea man died from a suspected heart attack while trying to protect his home from another fire yesterday in the John Forrest National Park.

More than 350 personnel from various departments have been involved in trying to fight the flames, some of which were up to 20m high.

Dozens of families were evacuated to two makeshift centres overnight - many not knowing if their homes still stood.

More than 400 residents affected by the fire have registered at the welfare evacuation centre at Brown Park in Swan View both yesterday and today.

Department for Child Protection and Family Support director-general Terry Murphy said affected residents had been given access to all the support they need.

"People have spent time at the centre where they have been provided with meals, clothing and personal items, personal support such as counselling and psychology services, and access to shower facilities and other services they may require," he said.

"Twenty people were accommodated at the evacuation centre overnight."

Pregnant resident Sian Musgrove, 31, doesn't know if her family house of 50 years is still standing. Picture: Colin Murty Source: News Limited

The loss of homes and property in the Perth Hills region can be seen from the air after a massive fire swept through the region on Sunday. Picture: Matthew Poon Source: News Limited

Weather update

A COOL change brought a reprieve for firefighters today but sweltering conditions and catastrophic fire danger ratings will return at the end of the week.

After Perth sweated through its hottest night on record on Saturday, a cooler change and south-westerly winds today means the forecast maximum is just 29C.

The mercury will hit 30C tomorrow before temperatures return to the high 20s for Wednesday and Thursday.

But firefighters will again be on their highest alert when the weekend approaches, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning hot north-easterly winds will crank up temperatures later in the week.

The bureau has forecast 38C on Saturday and 37C on Sunday, with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services again expected to issue ``catastrophic'' fire warnings for areas around Perth and elsewhere in WA.

KEEP UP TO DATE:

Visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au, call 1300 657 209, follow DFES on Twitter @dfes_wa or listen to news bulletins.

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.

A fire in Stoneville has led to evacuations and loss of property. A house on Ayres Road is lost to the flames. Source: News Limited

The cause

The cause of the blaze has still not been confirmed. But Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis believes a power pole on private property caused the fire.

Investigators are believed to have pinpointed the ignition point of the fire late yesterday to a private property in the Perth Hills.

There are a number of semi-rural properties within the area that have constructed privately owned powerlines and poles.

Energy Safety warns residents that the responsibility for maintenance of those lines rests with the property owner.

"If overhead power lines aren't inspected and maintained, they can clash or be brought down by strong winds, falling trees and branches, creating a serious safety and bushfire risk," it warns on its website.

"Just as network operators are required to maintain the power lines and poles that they own, customers with privately-owned power lines are required to do the same."

The loss of homes and property in the Perth Hills region can be seen from the air after a massive fire swept through the region on Sunday. Picture: Matthew Poon Source: News Limited

Homes without power

Electricity has been restored to 300 homes today, leaving about 700 homes without power.

Western Power reported tonight that it may be some time before power can be restored to the remaining homes because the network will need to be rebuilt.

About 150 power poles are understood to have been destroyed or damaged in the blaze.

"In the fire affected area there are numerous burnt power poles and lines across roads," a Western Power spokeswoman said.

"Our crews have not yet been able to access the fire affected area to start rebuilding the electricity network however they have connected a mobile generator to local shops on Stoneville Rd to help customers."

The aftermath of the devastating bushfire in Perth Hills. Picture: Colin Murty Source: News Limited

What to do? Make the safe call.

1) If you see fallen power lines - stay clear and call Western Power's emergency line on 13 13 51.

2) If power lines fall across your car - stay inside the car until help arrives.

A fire in Stoneville has led to evacuations and loss of property. Resident Rob Coumbe thanks fellow resident Sam Inu for saving his house from being burnt down. Sam has been touted a hero for saving four other families houses from being burnt down. Rob and Sam live on Narla Retreat in Stoneville. Source: News Limited

Premier cuts short leave
The Premier, Colin Barnett, has cut short his annual leave and is working out the details of an assistance package for victims of yesterday's Perth Hills inferno.

A spokesman for the Premier said: "Officially he's still on leave but he's in the office this morning. Obviously there will be a short-term assistance package for people who have lost their homes or been affected by the fire and we're working out exactly what that will be this morning.''

Mr Barnett was holidaying at home and did not have to return from overseas or interstate. He attended a community meeting for residents this morning.

But it was Deputy Premier Kim Hames who announced the State Government would be providing $1 million to the Lord Mayor's relief fund.

A fire in Stoneville has led to evacuations and loss of property. A resident on Ayres Road discovers the house has been burnt down. Picture: Jackson Flindell Source: News Limited

Insurance claims

The blaze is still smouldering, but Perth Hills residents have already been told to get the ball rolling on their insurance claims.

And insurance companies have promised to make the claims of fire-affected homeowners a ``priority''.

Insurance Council of Australia spokesman Campbell Fuller this morning said the insurance industry was moving quickly to help those in need.

``Anyone who has a policy and who has been affected by the bushfires should contact their insurer as soon as possible and start talking about the claims process and the assistance that the insurer can offer the policy holder,'' he said.

"(Bushfire) claims will be prioritised.''

Heroic stories emerge

Heroic stories have started to emerge from the fire zone, with one man saving four houses by himself. When PerthNow found him he was still trying to extinguish burning stumps with a bucket of water.

Sam Inu used a bucket to fill with water and put out spot fires as he saw them.

He was using a 20L bucket and going back and forth from the neighbour's pool to put out the fires.

He told PerthNow "nothing" was going through his mind apart from saving his house.

"I just didn't want my house to burn, I wasn't going to let a fire take my house," Mr Inu said.

Firefighters battle the devastating blaze in Perth Hills. Picture: DFES Source: Supplied

A family of six who lost their Stoneville home said authorities were incredibly helpful.

"We know they did everything they could have," Symone said.

Some people who tried to fight their houses couldn't because there wasn't enough water pressure.

Deborah told PerthNow the fire was "bigger than any of us thought it was going to be."

"It's unfortunate that some of us have just lost our houses," she said.

Deborah and her family have lived in Stoneville since 2008 and said she had never seen anything like this fire.

Other residents told PerthNow the wind was going in every direction as they fled their homes.

They heard of neighbours using water from spas to try and protect their homes.

Bert said he worked to save his house.

"The brigade let me in once they thought it was safe," he said.

Sawyers Valley resident Joy Smith told PerthNow how she and her husband helped evacuate collector's cars to the local oval.

She said she had heard of a son's friend - a 25-year-old first homebuyer - who was one of 18 Stoneville residents confirmed to have lost their houses today.

West Coast Waves captain Melissa Marsh tweeted that her team-mate Shani Amos had lost her family home in the fire.

At 12.51pm yesterday, St John Ambulance officers were called to a Hovea house where a man had collapsed on his roof. He had reportedly been trying to defend his home from the fire.

"St John responded to the incident but was unable to access the roof. Despite assistance from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services in getting onto the roof, the man passed away at the scene," a SJA spokesman said.

A minute later, a man fell through the roof of a house in Stoneville and was taken to Royal Perth Hospital. The 52-year-old man is in a serious but stable condition.

Flames were 20m high in yesterday's unpredictable and fast-moving blaze in Parkerville, which was first reported at 11am and crossed over into Stoneville and Mt Helena.

A fire is burning in the Perth Hills which has caused evacuations and loss of property. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited

SJA attended a small number of fire-related callouts in the Perth Hills yesterday. Two first aid crews, a paramedic crew, and an emergency management unit vehicle have been sent to provide first aid and support in Parkerville.

At 12.17pm, St John attended to a 74-year-old man in Pickering Brook who was complaining of chest pains. The man was taken to RPH, where he was last night in a stable condition.

Firefighters battle the devastating blaze in Perth Hills. Picture: DFES Source: Supplied

The fire started between Jonhston Road and Granite Road, before it has crossed Stoneville Road near Riley Road and is now burning towards Mount Helena and Chidlow.

Geraldton

A blaze in Geraldton that was out of control is now contained.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said there was no immediate danger or threat to lives or homes from the fire near the Geraldton Mount Magnet Rd.

"Although there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date in case the situation changes. The fire is burning approximately five kilometres north of the road," a spokesman said.

The road has now been reopened.

A fire is burning in the Perth Hills which has caused evacuations and loss of property. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited

A fire is burning in the Perth Hills which has caused evacuations and loss of property. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited

Firefighters battle the devastating blaze in Perth Hills. Picture: DFES Source: Supplied

A fire is burning in the Perth Hills which has caused evacuations and loss of property Source: News Limited

The Perth Hills blaze was the worst in a horror weekend for WA fire authorities, who battled fires in Wanneroo, Boddington, Denmark, Gosnells, Shark Bay and a major fire in Baldivis yesterday.

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.

This is the latest devastating blaze in WA in the past several years. In December 2009, 38 homes in Toodyay were destroyed by fire, while in February 2011 71 homes were lost in Roleystone and Kelmscott. In November 2011, a fire destroyed some 50 properties in Margaret River.

For updated information people can call DFES on 1300 657 209.

Reports of suspicious behaviour can be made to CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.

The Perth Hills fire is continuing to rage, with dozens of firefighters battling the blaze and two evacuation centres set up. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited

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.

Road closures:

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

The following roads have been closed:

Keane Street and Alice Road in Mount Helena

Princess Road and Cook Street in Mount Helena

Kintore Road and Riley Road in Parkerville

Stoneville Road and Malumba Place in Stoneville

Jarrah Road and Stoneville Road in Mundaring

Stoneville Road and Prosperity Road in Stoneville

Stretch Road and Kean Street Mount Helena

Kilburn Road and Schoch Road in Parkerville

Riley Road and Sexton Street in Mount Helena

Stoneville Road in Stoneville and Riley Road in Parkerville

Alice Road and Prosperity Road in Mount Helena

Granite Road and Richardson Road in Parkerville

For further details contact Main Roads WA on 138 138 or visit www.mainroads.wa.gov.au

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