Arson squad detectives investigating suspicious Gnowangerup house fire, with occupant self-evacuating

A fire that completely gutted a Gnowangerup home on Tuesday has officially been deemed suspicious, with police confirming that detectives from the arson squad will be investigating the blaze. Multiple triple-0 calls alerted emergency services to blaze which had fully engulfed the single storey home on Hughes Street at 12.15pm. Fives crews from Gnowangerup, Katanning, Borden and Kojonup fire brigades rushed to the fiery scene, which is located near the centre of the Great Southern town. The fire was almost extinguished by 2pm, according to a Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson. Police report that the sole occupant of the home was inside at the time but self-evacuated. The Herald understands the man did not require medical treatment but later was admitted to Gnowangerup District Hospital. Detectives arrived on the scene just before 5pm to investigate the structure — now an ashen shell — which remains cordoned off with police tape. A shaken-up neighbour said she had rushed home after a call from her husband alerted her to the flames across the road from their home. She said the scene was terrifying, and that the house “went down pretty quickly”. “It scared me, I was just standing here thinking that the wind was blowing one way and I thought, please don’t change because we’re quite close,” she said. “It’s a scary thing, you’d definitely hate to lose a house.” She said there was a line of local farmers and business fire units in front of the burning house when she arrived. “The amount of community people that rocked up and put it out, everyone got in there and did what they had do it, it was amazing,” she said. “I think they probably saved the neighbouring properties as well.” Police urge witnesses or anyone with information regarding the fire to contact Crime Stoppers online via crimestopperswa.com.au or by calling 1800 333 000. All reports can remain anonymous.