Lightning strikes lead to wildfires in Western Australia

Lightning strikes ignited some 23 wildfires across western Australia.

The fires come just hours after officials declared victory in their struggle to contain blazes on the eastern side of the country that had raged for weeks.

So far, the fires in the state of Western Australia have been contained with no injuries or damage to homes, fire officials say.

The most serious blaze, in a southern suburb of the state capital Perth, threatened five homes before being brought under control, a spokesman for the Department of Conservation and Land Management says.

About 20 firefighters remain at the scene to hose down the area.

The spokesman says fires also broke out around several small towns about 175 miles south of Perth. They have also been contained and will be mopped up.