Geraldton father pleads for help relocating after offender in police chase causes fire from fallen powerline

A Karloo family was left shocked when a live powerline snapped and connected with the ground, causing what the father described as a sound like an explosion, and sparks which led to a fire. The father is concerned for his children’s safety after a metal object was thrown at the powerline in front of his house early on Friday. Geraldton police acting officer in charge Sen. Sgt Andrew Ramsden said a high-harm offender had thrown a piece of guttering at the powerline during a police chase. “Police were chasing an offender and as a result of that he’s fled from the scene,” he said. “He is someone police are actively seeking to arrest.” A Western Power spokesperson confirmed 662 households lost power about 5.45am on Friday. “Debris impacting infrastructure has been identified as the cause of the power outage,” the spokesperson said. Father- of two Anthony Ronan has lived at his address on Naomi Way for 13 years and said he awoke to sparks and flames in front of his house. “I started to panic for my kids. I realised the wires were down and they were pretty close to my cars and the yard was on fire,” he said. “It’s gone right to the other side of the yard where all down the fence is burnt— it was pretty hectic, really. I got rid of the kids as soon as possible.” Mr Ronan said his two teenage daughters didn’t feel safe living alongside a spate of vandalism, crime and antisocial behaviour in the neighbourhood and he hoped the WA Housing Authority would consider moving the family. “Too many times things have happened around here where my daughters’ lives have been in danger,” he said. “We’ve been broken into a few times. My youngest daughter was attacked and we’ve just had enough.” Mr Ronan said he frequently saw juveniles firing rocks with ging, and adults arguing and smashing glass on the street. He described one instance when he returned home from Perth to find a man asleep on his couch. “My kids still have to go through this grief every day because of what’s happening to this area and our house,” he said. “I’ve let (the department) know again, after probably the sixth time of this house being damaged, that we need to be moved. We’ve already been given our transfer approval, but that was four years ago and we’re still here.” The Department of Communities was contacted for comment.