A 41-year-old woman has been charged over an alleged bushfire in Perth Hills that threatened homes and caused delays at Perth Airport.
Western Australia Police allege the Kalamunda resident visited a firebreak near Holmes Road and Whistlepipe Court in Forrestfield between 1.30pm and 1.40pm on Thursday, October 29.
She is accused of using a mobile heat source to start several fires along the firebreak. Police arrested her the following day and charged her with four counts of wilfully lighting or causing to be lit a fire likely to injure or damage.
The woman is expected to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on Saturday.
The blaze spread rapidly through the Perth Hills, putting nearby homes at risk. Residents in Forrestfield, Kalamunda and Lesmurdie were told to stay inside, while some areas were warned it was too late to leave.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services warned there was a possible threat to lives and homes as conditions changed. Thick smoke and flames were seen close to residential properties.
One resident, Kris, told 9News: “It just came up really quickly. We didn’t see anything at all and next thing my husband said ‘I think there’s a fire starting’.”
The intensity of the fire also caused power outages at Perth Airport, disrupting baggage check-in and grounding flights. Departures were delayed across the airport’s terminals, although services were operating normally by Thursday evening.
