Residents helped prevent the fire spreading before fire crews arrived at Edgewater Quarry.
Camera IconResidents helped prevent the fire spreading before fire crews arrived at Edgewater Quarry. Credit: Supplied/Josh Tucker

Neighbours fight fire

Lucy Jarvis, Joondalup WeekenderWanneroo Times

Reported about 4.20pm on January 27, the scrub fire was deemed a threat to homes and bombarded with fire resources until it was completely doused at 5.25pm.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesman Russell Jones said the fire was confined to less than 2ha in and around the quarry.

Mr Jones said the airwing attended, as well as helitacs, crews from the Duncraig, Joondalup, Malaga, Wangara and Ellenbrook Fire and Rescue brigades, and East Swan and West Swan bush fire services.

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Nearby resident Alan Simpson said the fire started at the base of the quarry near Regatta Drive and quickly spread up the quarry wall towards Jasper Way where there were houses, including his own.

‘The neighbours and my family were using all the hoses from the house to fight the fire before the fire brigade came from four different stations,’ he said.

‘They had to use helitacs and waterbombers to subdue the blaze and to ensure it wouldn’t start up again.’

Another resident, Rob Bouwman, said a man who lived across the road from the fire first noticed it and was using hoses to help prevent it spreading.

‘The fire engines soon came after that and the firemen quickly had the fire under control with the help of the helicopters,’ Mr Bouwman said.

‘The fire came very close to the houses next to the rocky cliff and could have easily been in the fire with the strong winds blowing towards them.

‘The firemen did a great job to save the houses and minimise the burning of the bush.’

Mr Bouwman said it was a nice place to live, but residents realised the potential dangers of living close to the bush.

Mr Jones said the cause was unknown but not believed to be suspicious.

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