Kings Park fire deliberately lit

A DELIBERATELY lit fire in Kings Park that burnt out about 20ha this morning flared up again late this afternoon, threatening the Old Swan Brewery.

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.

The fire was “100 per cent” deliberately lit, according to Fire and Emergency Services Authority incident controller Bruce Jones.

“There were a large number of people in the park this morning, from walkers to joggers, so there’s a high possibility somebody saw something that might help the investigation,” he said.

“It is sad somebody wants to destroy the jewel of this city and put homes and people in danger by lighting this fire, especially on a day like today when we need all our resources to fight fires elsewhere.”

Almost 30 fire crews from across Perth and six helicopters responded after the blaze started at 6.30am on a dirt track near the Balga carpark off Forrest Avenue.

By 11am it had destroyed 20ha of bushland.

Two other helitacs and the powerful Fire King helicopter were reassigned about 10.30am to help with other fires that broke out in Hope Valley and Two Rocks.

Motorists in the area should turn their headlights on and follow official advice.

Anyone who saw suspicious activity between 6.20am and 6.30am can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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What everyone else is thinking

montse

20/01/2009

I loved that area of the park, I am so sad for this lost of Perth natural beauty. It was a place so close to my heart. I am truly always concerned about the Australian bush and the fire dangers, I do feel the pain and lost caused by these tragically fires. This loss is a tragedy.

Stanley

17/01/2009

So what's so special about the Old Swan Brewery anyway apart from it being the Monument to WA Ink and government corruption on the foreshore under our State Memorial!