Esperance bushfire: Volunteer firefighter tragically dies in freak accident while battling out-of-control farm fire
- Man fell from fire truck
- Authorities are investigating his death
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A volunteer firefighter has died while responding to a bushfire that threatened homes near Esperance in southern Western Australia.
The incident happened after the fire started around 8.15am on Tuesday near Neds Corner Road and Yerritrup Road, in Coomalbidgup, about 60 kilometers west of Esperance’s in southern Washington.
He was part of a crew in a “private fire vehicle” that responded to the fire, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
Paramedics were called to the fire scene on Tuesday afternoon after a man was believed to have fallen from a fire truck, Western Australia said.
The fire started Tuesday morning and burned more than 7,000 acres.
A firefighter died on Tuesday after battling an out-of-control fire in Coomalbidgup, near Esperance in Western Australia (a firefighter is pictured holding a hose at the scene of the fire)
The fire (pictured) burned more than 7,000 hectares as emergency services rushed to the scene to battle the terrifying blaze
An emergency warning has been issued for parts of Coomalbidgup and Cascade, with residents in affected areas urged to leave if they can.
A number of roads are closed.
The DFES said the fire was declared a ‘Level 2 incident’ as the fire continued to burn heavily in the area before DFES firefighters began battling the fury following a request for the Shire of Esperance.
DFES said there will be an investigation into the man’s death and WA Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
A WA Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia they were investigating the man’s death.
“It is currently believed that the man responded to a fire on a neighboring farm property with a private fire brigade,” the spokesperson said.
“Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death, including his involvement in the fire response, are ongoing.”
Detectives from the Arson Squad will head to Perth on Wednesday to continue their investigation into the incident.
Roads were closed and emergency warnings were issued around the surrounding areas of Coomalbidgup as DFES firefighters (pictured) took control of the firefighting
The firefighter allegedly fell from a fire truck (photo of a fire truck at the scene of the fire)
A firefighter who said he had known the man most of his life and was close to his family expressed his sadness, saying the incident was a “complete tragedy.” Western Australian reported.
Western Australia Prime Minister Roger Cook called the man’s death ‘devastating’
“I am devastated to hear the news that a volunteer firefighter has died while battling a bushfire near Esperance,” Cook wrote on Facebook.
“This is an absolute tragedy, and I know the thoughts of all West Australians are with the young man’s family and friends.”
Several emergency-level bushfires have engulfed homes and ripped through bushland, rural properties and suburbs on the outskirts of Perth in recent days, as firefighters battled dozens of blazes across the state.