Raging Perth bushfire guts 59 homes
By IANSMonday, February 7, 2011
MELBOURNE - More West Australians have been urged to flee their properties since the number of homes destroyed by out-of-control bushfires in Perth rose to 59, said a report Monday.
Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett has declared parts of the Perth foothills a natural disaster area following the loss of homes since the fires erupted at the weekend.
Early today the number of destroyed properties stood at around 40, but by this afternoon that number had climbed to 59, with a further 19 damaged, The Australian reported Monday.
Premier Barnett has declared the bushfire-ravaged areas of Roleystone, Kelmscott and Red Hill natural disaster zones following the loss of 59 homes and significant damage to another 28, The Sydney Morning Herald said in a report.
He warned that the situation remained extremely dangerous.
