Homes destroyed by bushfire in Roleystone. Credit:Courtesy Channel Ten At least 71 homes in the south-eastern suburbs of Roleystone and Kelmscott have been destroyed by the fire, which is finally under control this morning after being sparked on Sunday. That number is expected to rise further as assessment teams start moving into areas where the fire was at its most fierce. Another 32 properties have been damaged by the fire, which was started by a spark from an angle grinder, believed to be operated by an off-duty police officer. Police have spoken to the man but no charges have been laid at this stage. It has been reported he was operating the machine on a trailer at the front of his Brookton Highway home, and that arson squad officers have seized the trailer for examination. Using such equipment without a permit would breach the region's total fire ban - in place on the day the fire started. Fire and Emergency Services Authority Craig Hynes said the maximum penalty for a proven breach was a $25,000 fine or 12 months jail.

Police have dismissed fears of looting from fire ravaged properties in Roleystone. But officers have been kept busy, with many people attempting to return to their homes despite the affected area being placed in lockdown. Several have either been stopped by police or after suffering burns to their feet in their attempts. Residents start to return Authorities let some residents in the Clifton Hills area back to their homes on Monday night and more are expected to be allowed back today. But dozens of people with little more than the clothes on their backs spent a second night on mattresses at the Armadale Arena, with police warning they would arrest anyone who tried to get through road blocks into the fire zone. FESA incident controller Gary Kennedy told residents last night that the fire was contained, and "the wind is... actually working in our favour now".

Easterly winds are forecast to stay around at least for today, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. The fire danger remains high for the hills, where the fires have been burning, as well as the rest of the coastal plain. The Bureau has forecast temperatures to remain in the mid 30s for the rest of the working week, easing off by a few degrees to 32 degrees on Saturday. The 80 firefighters still at the scene are having to battle not only the elements, but the terrain, with hilly areas proving difficult to access. The focus today was to reinforce containment lines, while two type-1 helicopters and support helitacs were on standby to deal with any flare-ups. Roads closed, power cut Fallen power lines and poles also remain a hazard, while 465 properties are without electricity. Power was cut to the area on Sunday to provide a safer environment for firefighters.

Fire breaks have proved effective in containing spot fires. Power has been restored to 1147 properties in the Perth Hills after over 1612 houses were blacked out on Monday night in the Kelmscott and Roleystone areas, Western Power said. There has been significant damage to the network in some areas and power restoration will progressively occur over the coming days. Several roads remain closed, including: Bromfield Drive, from Balgor Court to Scott Road

Scott Road

Brookton Highway, from Gemsarna Crescent to Soldiers Road

Canning Mills Road, from Buchanan Road to Roberts Road

Roberts Road

Buchanan Road

Buckingham Road, from Roberts Road to Mount Street

Previously-closed roads were re-opened about 10pm yesterday. But authorities urged motorists to stay away from the area if possible and to remain patient at road blocks. The Buckingham Bridge on Brookton Highway - which was destroyed on Sunday - is expected to take up to three weeks to rebuild. Clifton Hills Primary School, Kelmscott Primary School, and Good Shepherd School will remain closed today, though pupils can attend Westfield Park Primary, Grovelands Primary, and Lumen Christi College Gymnasium respectively. All schools in the area have been warned by the Education Department not to switch air-conditioning on until the systems had been checked for soot and ash. All schools will be re-opened tomorrow, with psychologists and chaplains on hand to help those traumatised by the fires.

The Health Department has also warned those with respiratory issues to take precautions to minimise their exposure to smoke. At least 12 people have so far been hospitalised after suffering smoke inhalation, while a firefighter was also taken to hospital after injuring a leg when hit by a fire truck near Roleystone. The Insurance Council of Australia has declared the fires an insurance catastrophe - which it does for large natural or man-made disasters - while banks have started rolling out assistance packages to customers. One of WA's largest insurers, SGIO, had already received 25 claims. Premier Colin Barnett announced yesterday that those who have lost their homes will be eligible for a $3000 payment, while those whose properties suffered extensive damage could get $1000.

Mr Barnett said the government, on behalf of taxpayers, would also donate $1 million to the City of Perth Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund, which has launched a public appeal. Opposition emergency services spokeswoman Margaret Quirk said there should be an inquiry into the fire. "An inquiry is not about directing blame, it’s about ensuring world’s best practice is applied to cope with the increased risk," she said. "A submission into the Toodyay fire report stated if a major fire occurred (in an urban area), the state would not have the capability or capacity to deal with it." Ms Quirk also called on more of the Emergency Services Levy, increased in last year's state budget, to be spent on ensuring local fire brigades had the resources they needed.

To donate to the appeal: Visit any Bankwest branch

Pay over the internet to BSB 306-089/ account 277061-5

Call the City of Perth on 9461 3333 for credit card donations during office hours

Pay in person at Council House. 27 St Georges Tce, Perth - with Aja Styles and AAP Loading Follow WAtoday on Twitter @WAtoday