In pictures: Bushfire devastates swathes of Western Australia

A bushfire in Western Australia has destroyed nearly 100 homes and razed much of the town of Yarloop to the ground.

An out-of-control blaze 110km (68 miles) south of the Western Australian city of Perth has more than doubled in size and burned through 53,000 hectares (130,000 acres) of land, with much of the town of Yarloop destroyed.

The scale of the blaze has traumatised local people. "It's like when you see in the war when the napalm bombers go through," volunteer firefighter Jesse Puccio told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blaze, with flames reaching heights of up to 50m after being fanned by blustery, hot winds. Firefighters are now reported to be "back-burning" the northern side of Harvey to protect that town.

The fire was reported to be so powerful that it even created its own weather pattern, with large clouds created by the blaze visible from many miles away.

Residents were advised to evacuate the area immediately as roads began to melt in the heat.

The fire is now threatening beef and dairy producing towns in the Waroona area, emergency workers said. It is not clear what started the blaze but dry weather and thunderstorms are both thought to be contributory factors.

The fire has left a trail of destruction in Waroona and its surrounding area.

Volunteers have been providing supplies to a bushfire evacuation centre at the Murray Leisure Centre in Pinjarra, Western Australia.