Daily London
Police allege a 19-year-old man threw a firecracker into dry grass in bushland on Temby Avenue, KalamUnda, in the Perth Hills about 25km east of the CBD, about 12.20am.
The firecracker sparked a bushfire almost immediately, which quickly intensified.
A waterbombing helicopter and multiple fire crews were called to try to extinguish the inferno, but it continue to burn into the morning.
An emergency warning was triggered just before 8.30am, urging residents in Maida Vale, Forrestfield and Kalamunda to leave immediately as the blaze spread across 25 hectares of land.
Residents were warned that their lives and properties were in danger.
The warning was downgraded to a Watch and Act just before 12.30pm.
Fire activity has decreased, but it still poses a danger to lives and homes in certain areas due to changing conditions, DFES warned.
Residents in parts of Maida Vale, Kalamunda, Forrestfield and Lesmurdie are urged to stay alert and monitor their surroundings for changing conditions.
That includes people in the area bound by Norwood Road, Taylor Road, Colac Place, Bird Road, Alpine Road, Wandoo Road, Holmes Road, Lewis Road and Anderson Road.
Locals bound by Hawtin Road, Norwood Road, Welshpool Road East, Lesmurdie Road, Kalamunda Road and Canning Road should also be vigilant.
Doors and windows should be closed to keep smoke out and residents should look out for spot fires on their properties.
Residents in parts of Forrestfield and Maida Vale, namely those bound by the Roe Highway, Quenington Court, Hawtin Road and Hartfield Road are no longer threatened by the fire.
The bushfire is currently moving slowly in a westerly direction. It is contained but not controlled.
An evacuation centre has been set up at the High Wycombe Community and Recreation Centre, 200 Newburn Road, High Wycombe.
A community meeting will be held there at 1pm today.
Several roads in the area have been closed, including Temby Road, Holmes Road at Wandoo Road, Norwood Road at Holmes Road and Hawkin Road at Maud Road.
More than 2000 homes lost power overnight as a result of the blaze.
Power was restored to almost all impacted properties by 9am, according to Western Power.
The 19-year-old man, from Kalamunda has been charged with a breach of duty (of care).
He is expected to appear before Perth Magistrates Court today.
