Boy, 12, charged over WA bushfire

A 12-year-old boy has been charged over a bushfire that came within metres of a sports complex and an Aboriginal community in Perth.

Firefighters in the air and on the ground battled last week's fire, which began near Roe Highway and Eddie Barron Drive in Middle Swan.

It briefly threatened Perth's cycling Speed Dome, the Moorditj Noongar Community College and Midland Sports complex.

A WA police spokeswoman confirmed a 12-year-old boy had been charged with breaching duty by failing to reasonably ensure a fire/ignition source would not cause a fire.

He was one of four boys, aged eight to 14, who were taken into custody after being spotted running from the area.

The 12-year-old will be dealt with by WA's Juvenile Justice Team, which aims to divert early and young offenders from the formal judicial system.