Explosion before body found in fire ground

Bomb squad officers have been drafted in to investigate after locals reported hearing an explosion before the discovery of a body amid burnt-out scrubland in suburban Perth.

Police launched an investigation after human remains were found amid bushland burnt in a fire that began between Rochdale Road and the West Coast Highway about 11.30am (WST) on Thursday.

Aircraft were sent to assist the ground crews, who quickly got the blaze under control.

However, as emergency services mopped up, WA Police's major crime division were called in to investigate reports of a body being found.

Police explosives experts have also been called in after reports of a large blast about the time the fire began.