Bushfire threatens homes in WA

HOMES are under threat from an out of control bushfire in Western Australia and people have been advised to leave the area immediately.

There is a bushfire emergency in Gingin. Twitter photo @7NewsPerth

A bushfire emergency warning has been issued for people living in Wanerie and Eneabba in Western Australia.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services have issued the warning for people in Sovereign Hill and Redfield Road in Wanerie in the Shire of Gingin, which is about 100km north of Perth.

The area is bounded by Bennies Road, Indian Ocean Drive to Gingin Brook Road.

The advice states: “You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes.”

Homes in Sovereign Hill and Redfield Park Estate will be under threat by out of control fire in about two and a half hours.

RELATED: Live updates at PerthNow

“The fire is burning towards Sovereign Hill,” the advice states.

Flames are up to two metres high and moving in a south westerly direction, at one kilometre an hour. The fire was caused by lightning.

A temporary evacuation centre has been set up at the Rec Centre, part of the Bendigo Tennis Centre, on Welld St, Gingin.

ENEABBA

There is also an emergency warning for Eneabba in the Shire of Carnamah, with homes under threat by fire in one hour. The fire started north of Eneabba near the Brand Highwy and is movely in a south easterly direction twards Eneabba.

The Eneabba Primary School in the midwest region has been evacuated and part of the Brand Highway is closed.

Alerts have also been issued for the Great Southern, Midwest Gascoyne and Goldfields Midlands region.

A temporary evacuation centre has been set up at the Leeman Recreation Centre, Spencer St, Leeman.

Officals have advised that the safest route to leave Eneabba is to travel in a southerly direction via Eneabba-Coolimba Rd towards Leeman.

About 40 Bush Fire Service firefighters are on the scene and aerial support has also been sent to protect crews and homes.

Visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter @dfes_wa or listen to news bulletins.

A bushfire emergency is currently underway near #Gingin. There is a threat to lives and homes. #perthnews pic.twitter.com/IlkUwm5ZEU

— 7 News Perth (@7NewsPerth) November 26, 2014

@7NewsPerth chopper over Gingin very strong and changing winds not making it easy for fire crews on ground pic.twitter.com/YcoPcWLGHE

— Simon Hydzik (@simonhydzik) November 26, 2014

Dark skies across Perth & surrounding areas - stormy & spot fires. Residents on Sovereign Hill Rd, Gabbadah evacuated pic.twitter.com/A7jziLTslw

— Kate Smithers (@KateSmithers) November 26, 2014

UPDATE #wafires Temporary evacuation centre has been set up at the Leeman Rec centre for those coming from #Eneabba

— Nine News Perth (@9NewsPerth) November 26, 2014

A fire has started after a lightning strike in Butler pic.twitter.com/tX0mu4E82U

— Perth Potter (@PerthPotter) November 26, 2014

Bushfire has caused road closure on Brand Highway between Eneabba and Indian Ocean Drive. Please chose another route. Police at road blocks.

— Geraldton Police (@GeraldtonPol) November 26, 2014

Some apocalyptic skies on the way to #Gingin fire. Lightning frequent & visibility down to about 100m. @abcnewsPerth pic.twitter.com/zsRROrSsCq

— Katrin Long (@Katrin_Long) November 26, 2014

There is also a severe thunderstorm warning in place for the Gascoyne, Central West, Lower West and Central Wheat Belt.

Damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding were predicted.

@PerthWXLive @tweetperth @7NewsPerth Planes diverting close to the city..amazing lighting right now too #perthstorm pic.twitter.com/BeGJOwUxxV

— Adam Astro (@Astro_Ad) November 26, 2014

RELATED: Severe thunderstorm warning for north of Perth

Earlier a lightning storm north of Perth sparked about five fires within the Shire of Irwin.

Our lightning shot has been very popular. Here is the footage: http://t.co/4LVj7dgOE5

— Dongara Police (@DongaraPol) November 26, 2014

Meanwhile a bushire in York in the Shire of York has been put out.

Picture of today's fire from near the cemetery. Brilliant work by the Fire Department to contain the blaze. pic.twitter.com/tUGM5G80zA

— York Police (@York_Police) November 26, 2014