Authorities report that a 19-year-old man is accused of igniting a firecracker in dry grassland on Temby Avenue, Kalamunda, located in the Perth Hills about 25 kilometers east of the central business district, around 12:20 am.
The firecracker immediately triggered a bushfire, which swiftly grew in intensity.
In response, an evacuation center has been established at the High Wycombe Community and Recreation Centre, located at 200 Newburn Road, High Wycombe.
A community meeting is scheduled to take place there today at 1 pm.
Several roads in the vicinity have been shut down, including Temby Road, Holmes Road at Wandoo Road, Norwood Road at Holmes Road, and Hawkin Road at Maud Road.
Overnight, more than 2,000 homes experienced power outages due to the fire.
Power was restored to almost all impacted properties by 9am, according to Western Power.
The 19-year-old man, from Kalamunda has been charged with a breach of duty (of care).
He is expected to appear before Perth Magistrates Court today.
