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Kings Park fire rages on, threatens homes

by Lazylizards | January 16, 2009 at 01:27 am

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After nearly 12 hours, firefighters were still battling fierce fires at Perth's most visited tourist attraction.

Considered the soul of Perth, this 400-hectare park of bushland and majestic gums, has some of the worls's most remarkable collection of wildflowers in spring.

But today, it was engulfed in thick smoke. The fires had apparently got out of control again in the afternoon.

What is sad is that this fire was lit by arsonists, who had chosen the hottest day this summer. Temperatures reached 42C.

Det. Sgt David Gorton, from the police arson squad, said the fire was definitely the work of an arsonist, but only one ignition point had been identified to date, despite earlier reports of multiple fires.

“It puts lives at risk, it puts property at risk and it’s just an inconsiderate thing to do,” Det. Sgt Gorton said.

Very hot conditions and fresh and gusty north-easterly winds did not help firefighters.

Kings Park and Mounts Bay Road were closed to traffic as the fire raged.

Residents in upmarket homes bordering the park had been strongly advised to leave their homes. FESA advises that there is still a threat to homes from embers travelling through the air.

Fire and Emergency Services is urging nearby residents to close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air-conditioners but keep water running through the system if possible.

A Mayfair apartment resident, Wayne, said he wanted to see the person responsible for the fire severely dealt with.

“It’s a pretty devastating thing to do,” he said.

Between 2pm and 5pm when I cycled home from work, helicopter water bombers and ground crew were still fighting fresh fires which had ignited bush at Mount Eliza escarpment at the eastern end of the park. The Old Swan Brewery 200m away was evacuated. Even the heritage boat shed on the side of the Swan River adjacent Kings Park was in danger of being lost.

The city sighed a collective relief that night as the fire appeared to have been contained. However, all roads into King's Park remained closed and a few fire engines continued to stay in the park for fear the fires may reignite.

Police were still hunting the arsonist who was reportedly seen running away from the area when the fire started. People are asked to call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 to report suspicious activities.

The fire was lit on a dirt track near the Balga carpark off Fraser Avenue and burnt through bushland predominantly in the south-west of the park before being contained after 11am.

It had jumped from Forrest Avenue towards Lovekin Avenue. The fire had also at one stage jumped across Mounts Bay Road before being contained a short time later.

More than 20 fire crews and over 100 firefighters, supported by water bombing Helitacs, began battling the blaze about 6.30am.

More than 50 fire fighters battled the blaze which headed towards the Old Swan Brewery on Mounts Bay Rd.

Latest news from a community newspaper:

Firefighters brought the fire back under control just after 7pm.

Two helitacs and more than 50 fire fighters were battling flare-ups and flying embers, but homes and University of WA buildings near Park Avenue and Mounts Bay Road were no longer at risk.

In her blog, Clare Snow writes about how plants will fare in the aftermath of the disastrous fire. Also, check out her reference to some superbly taken photographs.

The deliberately fire at Kings Park burnt 20ha of the Mt Eliza escarpment. Australia’s bush is resilient in regenerating after fire and the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA) is confident the area will return to good cover within four to five years [2], but it might need some help from the BGPA.

In an unexpected twist of events, politicians debated about the need to toughen arson laws. The opposition called for tough laws after it was revealed that the arsonist, if caught, may get away scott-free as it was a crime only if a fire was started with the intention of harming life and property, something that would not be the case in the King's Park fire, considering that the only damage that occured was to bushland.

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