Fire burns down home, sheds

Firefighters worked throughout the night to protect several properties south of Toodyay from a bushfire that claimed one home and several sheds.

The fire tore through 150ha of bush with fire crews working desperately to control the fast-moving blaze.

It was reported about 1.40pm as temperatures across the State soared above 40C yesterday.

By 2.30pm, residents in an area bounded by Salt Valley Road, Challeon Lane, Panorama View, Hoddy Well Road and Sandplain Road were told it was too late to leave and they needed to defend their homes.

Five helitacs and water bombers assisted 150 firefighters throughout the afternoon.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said one home had been destroyed and the owner informed last night.

At least three sheds and a free-standing garage were also lost.

The fire, believed to have been accidental though the cause remained unknown, was downgraded from a bushfire emergency to a watch and act at 7.30pm.

With roads around the bushfire closed, more than a dozen residents gathered at a makeshift evacuation centre in the Toodyay town hall.

It was deja vu for Twilight Brae residents Bruce and Linda Sharman. The blaze came almost five years since another big fire ripped through the area on December 29, 2009.

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Fire burns down home, sheds