Man charged over bushfire that destroyed 86 homes in Western Australia

A man has been charged over a huge bushfire that destroyed 86 homes as well as machinery, sheds, vehicles and livestock.

A 40-year-old man has been charged over a bushfire that was sparked during a fire ban and destroyed 86 homes northeast of Perth.

The Wooroloo bushfire, which started on February 1, burnt through 10,750 hectares of land, and also wiped out machinery, sheds, vehicles and livestock.

Acting Commander Tony Longhorn told reporters on Friday the arson squad interviewed the man two days after the blaze started and he provided a “version of events”.

There were 86 homes lost in the fire. Picture: Paul Kane / Getty Images

Investigations continued and on Friday he was interviewed again, then charged with a breach of duty and breaching a total fire ban.

Bail was refused and the man will face Northbridge Magistrates Court on Saturday.

Commander Longhorn said police would allege the man was in control of a grinder and failed to take “reasonable precautions” to avoid lighting a fire that damaged property.

“We are not alleging that the fire was deliberately lit,” he said.

Commander Longhorn said the Department of Fire and Emergency Services was also involved in the investigation.

He said it was a significant bushfire that had affected many people.

But he could not say whether the charged man’s property was also impacted by the blaze.

If convicted, the man faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.