It is too late for residents to flee their homes in Perth’s south east as firefighters scramble to douse a suspicious bushfire.
An emergency bushfire alert was issued for the southern part of Bedfordale and the eastern part of Ahsendon in the City of Armadale on Friday around 2.20pm.
The fire — which was grew to 60 hectares in size — was first reported at 12.30pm and is moving in a north westerly direction toward Springfield Road.
People in the area bound by Albany Highway, Admiral Road, Kunzea Road and McAllister Road in the southern part of Bedfordale and eastern part of Ashendon are urged to act immediately to survive.
DFES says it is too late for people to leave their homes bound inside the emergency area as the blaze progresses towards springfield road.
Deputy incident controller Terry Wegwermer said residents still inside the emergency zone should “prepare for fire impact”.
The last report was that the fire was moving at about 700 meters an hour through forest vegetation,” he said.
“Some of the biggest hurdles for firefighters is working in the terrain, which is valleys and quite difficult to get through.”
A DFES alert said “If you cannot leave, you need to get ready to shelter in your home.”
“Go to a room in your home away from the firefront and make sure you can easily escape.”
A watch and act alert has been issued for people bounded by Albany Highway, Admiral Road, Dryandra Drive and North Road, including the eastern part of Bungendore Park.
The fire remains uncontained and is “out of control and unpredictable” as firefighters remain at the scene.
Mr Wegwermer said police are working to determine the cause of the blaze, which is being treated as suspicious.
Over 165 firefighters are at the scene while 12 water bombers work to douse the blaze from above
Southern Hills Christain College was evacuated in the early stages od the blaze, with all students and staff accounted for.
An evacuation centre has been opened by the Department of Communities at Armadale Area — located at 2 Townley Street.
If they (the community) do see anything suspicious, or they know of, or have observed something, please put that through to Crimestoppers.