Kings Park bushfire: Fire crews are at the scene of another fire which began near Jacobs Ladder

A blazing bushfire in West Perth is threatening lives and homes.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued an alert for people in the area bounded by Bellevue Terrace, Mount Street and Mitchell Freeway, including Cliff Street and Jacob’s Ladder in West Perth.

In a statement issued a moment ago, DFES said the fire was at a ‘watch and act level’ and that residents in the area should leave now if they are not well prepared to stay and actively defend their home.

The fire started near Jacobs Ladder along Cliff Street about 2.45pm.

Firefighters are at the scene trying to extinguish the blaze, which is out of control and moving slowly in a westerly direction.

The fire is burning very close to large apartments and conditions in the area are changing. Firefighters are currently battling the blaze from the balconies of nearby apartments.

A police helicopter and multiple DFES aerial support choppers are circling the blaze.

Residents from the apartments were seen gathered along Cliff street as emergency services try to save their homes.

Plumes of smoke can also be seen rocketing into the sky.

A number of roads are closed, including Cliff Street.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area, reduce speed and drive carefully due to smoke.

WHAT TO DO

• If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear.
• If you are well prepared and plan to actively defend your home, make final preparations now.
• If you plan to stay and actively defend, do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. You need to have access to an independent water supply, and start patrolling your property to put out spot fires.
• Keep doors and windows closed and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.
• If you are not at home, do not try to return as conditions in the area could be very dangerous.

While the blaze is not impacting Kings Park bushland firefighters are keeping a watchful eye on the park after it was recently torched.

The park was closed last Tuesday after authorities declared a “possible threat to lives and homes” following multiple fires caused a raging bushfire to ignite, forcing police and fire crews to race to the scene about 2.40pm.

By 11pm, firefighters managed to contain and control the blaze before DFES downgraded the alert to an advice level.

Police have since identified three “distinct” ignition points following Tuesday’s fire.

Arson squad detectives have been called in to investigate the blaze because police believe it was deliberately ignited.

More to come.