A volunteer firefighter has died in a freak accident while battling a bushfire threatening homes near Esperance in Western Australia’s south.
The incident unfolded after the blaze ignited near Neds Corner Road and Yerritrup Road, in Coomalbidgup, about 60km west of Esperance on Tuesday, about 8.15am.
He was part of a crew in a ‘private firefighting vehicle’ responding to the blaze, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said in a statement on Tuesday night.
Ambulance crews were called to the fire ground this afternoon after the man was understood to have fallen from a fire truck, the West Australian reported.
The blaze began on Tuesday morning and burnt more than 7000 hectares.
An emergency alert has been issued for parts of Coomalbidgup and Cascade with residents in the affected areas urged to leave if they can.
A number of roads have been closed.
The DFES said the fire was declared a ‘Level 2 incident’ as the blaze continued to burn viciously in the area.
DFES said authorities will investigate the man’s death with WA Police set to prepare a report for the coroner.
A spokesperson for WA police told Daily Mail Australia the incident is now under investigation.
‘At this time, it is believed the man was responding to a fire on a neighbouring farming property using a private fire appliance,’ the spokesperson said.
‘The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death, including his involvement in the response to the fire, is ongoing.’
Detectives from the Arson Squad will head to Perth on Wednesday to continue their investigations into the incident.
Leave a Reply