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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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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