Perth Voice Interactive

A BUSHFIRE in Coolbinia last Sunday has been declared suspicious by fire authorities, leading to an investigation by the police arson squad.

The fire started around noon near the Coolbinia primary and Sir David Brand schools, beside Glick Road.

Locals were evacuated and Bradford Street closed as 11 fire trucks and four water bomber helicopters arrived on the scene.

Stirling city councillor Terry Tyzack, who lives nearby on Wordsworth Avenue, says he was told helicopters siphoned water from the aquatic centre in Inglewood, before flying to the blaze in Coolbinia.

A DFES spokesperson said the blaze was contained at 1.31pm and extinguished at 4.14pm.

“The arson squad attended the scene after fire services determined the cause to be suspicious,” he said.

Arthur Mistilis, who lives on nearby Carnarvon Crescent, says it was a lucky escape for the Sir David Brand School, which caters for students with disabilities.

“It was lucky that the blaze was caught quickly, as it could have easily spread across the bushland,” he says.

“The fire would have been right on top of them and destroyed everything. There was quite a commotion with loads of sirens and helicopters flying overhead.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK