Latest news with #DFES
West Australian
44 minutes ago
- Automotive
- West Australian
Section of Albany Highway remains closed near Kojonup after water mains burst near decommissioned fuel tank
A stretch of Albany Highway near Kojonup remains closed after a water main burst near a decommissioned fuel tank on Sunday morning, spilling potentially contaminated liquid. The leak was isolated just after 10.30am on Sunday, about half an hour after it was first reported in the Shire of Kojonup. Main Roads WA closed a stretch of Albany Highway that runs through the Great Southern town, with a detour in place between Blackwood Road and Pensioner Road on Sunday, which remained closed on Monday afternoon. Two DFES crews attended the site on Sunday with utilities services also on scene trying to fix the burst. At about 11.30am, crews reported the smell and visuals of fuel had significantly reduced. According to a DFES spokesperson, the water main burst near a reportedly decommissioned underground fuel tank near a petrol station. While the tank was shown to be empty, concerns remained about the possibility of residue mixing with the water. The Pollution Response Unit completed testing on the spill by Monday afternoon, however the road remains closed until local government authorities can be sure it is safe to reopen it. The closure on the main route between Perth and Albany comes over the WA Day long weekend, when thousands of travellers will use the highway to travel between the two locations.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Major highway remains closed after contaminated liquid spill
A stretch of Albany Highway near Kojonup remains closed after a water main burst near a decommissioned fuel tank on Sunday morning, spilling potentially contaminated liquid. The leak was isolated just after 10.30am on Sunday, about half an hour after it was first reported in the Shire of Kojonup. Main Roads WA closed a stretch of Albany Highway that runs through the Great Southern town, with a detour in place between Blackwood Road and Pensioner Road on Sunday, which remained closed on Monday afternoon. Two DFES crews attended the site on Sunday with utilities services also on scene trying to fix the burst. Albany Highway remains closed after a water main burst in Kojonup on June 1 near a decommissioned fuel tank. Credit: Main Roads WA At about 11.30am, crews reported the smell and visuals of fuel had significantly reduced. According to a DFES spokesperson, the water main burst near a reportedly decommissioned underground fuel tank near a petrol station. While the tank was shown to be empty, concerns remained about the possibility of residue mixing with the water. The Pollution Response Unit completed testing on the spill by Monday afternoon, however the road remains closed until local government authorities can be sure it is safe to reopen it. The closure on the main route between Perth and Albany comes over the WA Day long weekend, when thousands of travellers will use the highway to travel between the two locations.
West Australian
a day ago
- General
- West Australian
New statistics released by DFES on Smoke Alarm Action Day show most burnt properties did not have alarms
More than half of WA properties engulfed by fire in the past year did not have a smoke alarm installed, shocking new statistics have revealed. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services released the figures on the first day of winter — which is also Smoke Alarm Action Day — in a warning for property owners to install and regularly test smoke alarms. Winter is typically the busiest time for house fires. There have been more than 1100 structure fires (782 in homes) since July 2024, a rate of more than three a day. Smoke alarms were fitted in less than 43 per cent of those fire-affected properties. According to DFES Deputy Commissioner Craig Waters, a fire can take off in seconds and engulf a room in minutes, trapping occupants and cutting off escape routes. 'At night, we lose our sense of smell, so a smoke alarm is an essential detection device to help save lives and can be the difference between a close escape and a catastrophe,' he said. 'If you don't have a smoke alarm or you're not regularly cleaning them or checking that your smoke alarms are in working order, you may be putting the lives of your loved ones at risk.' The need for working smoke alarms is also much higher for people in rural and regional areas who are further from emergency services. Research also shows that many people understand smoke alarms are a legal requirement in WA, but are not aware of the need to maintain the proper function of the devices. Mr Waters urged property owners to take five minutes to test smoke alarms and clean away dust and cobwebs. 'If your smoke alarm has a replaceable battery, change it every year,' he added. 'A beeping or chirping smoke alarm means a low battery or fault within you smoke alarm. 'All smoke alarms, regardless of type, must be replaced every 10 years.' He also encouraged property owners to install heat alarms in garages where lithium-ion devices are charged and 'highly destructive fires can start with little warning'.
West Australian
a day ago
- Automotive
- West Australian
Potentially contaminated water burst closes Albany Highway between Blackwood and Pensioner roads
A stretch of Albany Highway has been closed after a water main burst near a decommissioned fuel tank, spreading potentially contaminated liquid on the road. According to DFES, the leak was reported in Kojonup — about 250km south of Perth — just before 10am on Sunday and isolated just after 10.30am. Main Roads WA has closed a stretch of road in the town on Albany Highway between Blackwood and Pensioner roads. Two DFES crews went to the site with utilities services also on scene trying to fix the burst. According to DFES spokesperson, the water main burst near a reportedly decommissioned underground fuel tank. While the tank was shown to be empty through the use of a dipstick, concerns of residue mixing with the water remained. It is understood local government officials have been contacted and are testing the water for contamination. About 11.30am, crews reported the smell and visuals of fuel had significantly reduced. Albany Highway is the main route between Perth and Albany and the closure comes as scores of families are expected to travel between the two for the WA Day long weekend.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Burst water main closes stretch of Albany Highway
A stretch of Albany Highway has been closed after a water main burst near a decommissioned fuel tank, spreading potentially contaminated liquid on the road. According to DFES, the leak was reported in Kojonup — about 250km south of Perth — just before 10am on Sunday and isolated just after 10.30am. Main Roads WA has closed a stretch of road in the town on Albany Highway between Blackwood and Pensioner roads. Two DFES crews went to the site with utilities services also on scene trying to fix the burst. According to DFES spokesperson, the water main burst near a reportedly decommissioned underground fuel tank. While the tank was shown to be empty through the use of a dipstick, concerns of residue mixing with the water remained. It is understood local government officials have been contacted and are testing the water for contamination. About 11.30am, crews reported the smell and visuals of fuel had significantly reduced. Albany Highway is the main route between Perth and Albany and the closure comes as scores of families are expected to travel between the two for the WA Day long weekend.
