Aussie bush engulfed by fire

A bushfire in Western Australia is threatening lives and homes about 50 kilometres south of Perth.

The fire which started on Tuesday has so far burnt 150 hectares of bushland in the Rockingham Lakes Regional Park and was moving slowly.

A spokeswoman for the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) said the fire had been contained but not controlled.

FESA has warned the bushfire could possibly threaten the nearby suburb of Karnup, which it is approaching.

FESA warned residents to leave their properties or make preparations to defend them from the blaze.

Firefighters have so far saved homes in areas near the Rockingham Lakes Regional Park while the Marapana Wildlife World and a service station have also been saved.

One local resident reported seeing small puffs of smoke that quickly turned into "orange flames everywhere".

Overnight 120 firefighters were fighting the blaze with the help of helicopters and fixed wing water bombers, which were called in during daylight.