Picton fire allegedly started by lit cigarette

A 23-year-old Picton man who allegedly flicked a lit cigarette into bushland sparking a massive blaze will appear in court this morning.

Bunbury detectives this morning charged the man who they say ran to a nearby service station and reported the fire after he attempted to put out the flames.

Homes and lives were put at risk on Saturday when the bushfire burnt through about 168ha of land around Picton and Glen Iris.

One home was badly damaged in the blaze.

The fire reached emergency warning status on Saturday afternoon when home owners were told to leave or act immediately to survive.

The blaze was contained about 10pm Saturday but a bushfire advice remained in place this morning with burning embers still a possible threat.

The man has been charged with breaching duty of care – duty to a person in control of ignition source of fire.

The man is due to appear in Bunbury Magistrates Court this morning.