<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A raging </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/bushfires" rel="" target="" title="bushfire"><span>bushfire</span></a><span> in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/perth" rel="" target="" title="Perth"><span>Perth</span></a><span> has sparked a fire emergency, as evacuation routes were blocked by the blaze.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The fire in the Perth Hills destroyed buildings and left roads like the Great Eastern Highway closed after it broke out about 2pm (5pm AEDT).</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It quickly jumped to an emergency level, impacting areas including Beechina, Chidlow and Wooroloo.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/videos/national/police-treating-mans-death-as-suspicious/cmmlrptsh002q0hlhww1oh9mb"><strong><span>Police treating man's death as suspicious</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Sheds were quickly up in flames and homes were surrounded as the blaze burned through more than 70 hectares and forced residents to evacuate.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Thankfully, no homes have been damaged at this stage but at least one derelict home has been impacted and there are reports of damage to sheds.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The bushfire started to slow down a bit this afternoon, allowing firefighting teams to start getting on top of it.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/perth-hills-bushfire-evacuation-routes-blocked-as-roads-closed/03bffab6-ab91-496a-81bf-2738b64a3846" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Department of Fire and Emergency Services provided an update on the fire this afternoon, revealing it was sparked accidentally by machinery.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We currently have 160 personnel on site with approximately 50 fire appliances from both volunteer and career fire and rescue," district officer Shaun Champ said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The emergency warning for the Beechina was downgraded to watch and act, resulting in the evacuation centre at Mundaring Arena being closed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There's remained a possible threat to lives and homes as the fire was contained, so residents were being asked to monitor conditions and warnings.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Despite the downgrade, a number of roads remained closed tonight including the Great Eastern Highway in both directions between Great Southern Highway and Old Northam Road.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>