Bushfire emergency: Fire out of control threatening lives and homes in Waggrakine, Moresby

People living in parts Waggrakine and Moresby are under threat with a bushfire raging close to their homes.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services have warned people in the bushfire emergency zone that it is too late to leave.

Residents bounded by North West Coastal Highway, Mary Street, Collins Road, Sutcliffe Road and Nerrel Street in Waggrakine and Moresby have been told they are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.

“There is a threat to lives and homes,” DFES warns.

“Homes in the area are under threat by fire now.”

The fire was reported at 10.30am and is moving fast in a northerly direction.

Another bushfire emergency alert is in place for people bounded by Mary Street, Sutcliffe Road, Cooper Street and NWCH in Waggrakine and Glenfield.

An evacuation centre has been set up at the QEII Seniors and Community Centre on Durlacher Street in Geraldton.

To make matters worse, power supply to around 5537 homes and businesses in Spalding, Bluff Point and Woorree has been affected by the bushfire. Some outages may not be able to be fixed until the fire has passed.

A Western Power spokesperson said: “It’s likely that heavy smoke has tripped the safety devices, crews will complete patrols to ensure there is no damage and it is safe to restore power supply.”

At least one property has been damaged, with damage to an old farmhouse in Waggrakine spotted, while there are concerns about the impact to Waggrakine Primary School.

The fire has come dangerously close to houses, with the blaze ripping through a strip of land on the western side of Star Street in Waggrakine that missed a whole suburb by just metres.

Meanwhile, residents have been warned to prepare to leave with two watch and act alerts current in two areas — the first bounded by NWCH, Nerrel Street, Longva Road, Fairfax Drive and Green Street in Spalding and Moresby and the second bounded by Cooper Street, Brown Lane, Eliza Shaw Drive and NWCH in Waggrakine, White Peak, Buller and Glenfield.

It is unclear what caused the bushfire.

For people needing to head to the evacuation centre, be advised to take any essential items such as medications and identification.

Pets, except for recognised assistance animals, are not allowed inside evacuation centres for health and safety reasons and owners need to make alternative arrangements for them.

To keep up to date:

• Visit Emergency WA or download the Emergency WA app from the App Store or Google Play.
• Call 13 DFES (13 3337).
• Follow DFES on Facebook.