Allanson bushfire: Residents evacuated as bushfire nears WA town

A bushfire triggered a major emergency in Western Australia’s south-west today, bearing down on a small township near Collie.

The fire broke out just after 1pm in Allanson, as the temperature soared above 40 degrees.

Around 30 residents evacuated from the town, which is home to about 600 people, and there were fears the blaze would spread to Collie.

Fire crews battled the blaze from the ground and waterbombers from the air through the afternoon.

The fire has now been downgraded from the highest emergency alert level to Watch and Act.

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Four firefighters were taken to hospital suffering from heat exhaustion, but have avoided any serious injuries.  

The full extent of the damage caused by the blaze is still being assessed, but it’s understood multiple sheds and a caravan have been destroyed.

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