Mariginiup bushfire: DFES says massive bushfire north of Perth last week is not being treated as suspicious

A massive bushfire that destroyed 18 homes north of Perth last week is not being treated as suspicious, it has been revealed. Investigations are continuing into how and why the fire, which razed homes in the suburb of Mariginiup, started. Firefighters managed to get the blaze, which burnt through 1870ha, under control on Sunday. However, emergency services are still working hard to stop underground fires, known as “peat fires”. DFES incident controller Clint Kuchel said this week that the fire remained controlled and contained. As of Wednesday afternoon, the fire — which forced the evacuation of hundreds of families — was at “advice level”. The cause of the fire, which started last Wednesday, is still listed as “undetermined” on the DFES website. DFES officials told The West Australian on Wednesday that police had “concluded their part of the investigation” and as a result the fire was “not considered suspicious”. DFES fire investigators are still in the process of continuing their investigation. On Friday, Premier Roger Cook announced financial assistance to help victims of the devastating bushfire, confirming the loss of 18 homes, with a further five significantly damaged and 31 other buildings including sheds also destroyed. Mr Cook delivered the update after cutting short his China trade mission by about 12 hours. At that same briefing, DFES commissioner Darren Klemm said some animals and livestock had died in the fire. The Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund, to be donated to those impacted by the fires, was opened on Monday and has raised more than $53,000. Donations to the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund can be made here.