AN Australind teenager doused himself in water and jumped to the aid of his neighbours when an out of control bushfire threatened his street in Leschenault on Friday morning.
It took 30 firefighters and three fire engines a full hour to get the Australind Road fire under control just short of Old Coast Road.
Starting in a vacant block at about 10.45am, it tore through bushland and threatened homes.
Chris Guy, 16, lives in a property next to the now-charred block with his parents.
Mr Guy said he watched as a pile of twigs and branches prepared for permit burning “randomly erupted into flames”.
“All of a sudden one just burst into flames in one of the roots,” he said.
He said when a tree went up in front of him and the fire began to get out of control he jumped into action.
“I wouldn’t say I was a hero, I would just say I was helping out the community and people who live here – if someone had problems I would definitely jump in and help out again.”
- Australind teenager Chris Guy
“I burst out, doused myself in water and started to keep the fire away from the house – the dogs were going nuts.”
When his house was secure he went to help his neighbours, who lost a boat and trailer in the blaze.
“I cut off as much of the fire as I could on my side and then jumped on the [quadbike] and bolted over there so I could try and help out the neighbours as much as I could,” he said.
“[My neighbours] were definitely concerned about their own properties and safety and I definitely feel for them.”
The fire was downgraded to advice at about 1.30pm on Friday afternoon.
No one was injured.
Mr Guy said despite the danger to his own safety he would do it again.
“I wouldn’t say I was a hero, I would just say I was helping out the community and people who live here – if someone had problems I would definitely jump in and help out again.”
A Department of Fire and Emergency Services representative at the scene said the cause of the fire had not yet been confirmed.
