Machete used in theft of firey’s car

A man has used a “bladed weapon” to threaten firefighters battling a blaze in Wellesley before stealing a vehicle this morning.

Police were forced to call for help from the public after a man fled the fire scene in the stolen vehicle.

Police have since recovered the abandoned vehicle on South Western Highway in Waterloo. But their search efforts quickly turned to Bunbury Hospital where a suspect of interest had admitted himself.

The man remains under police watch in hospital, but charges were yet to be laid.

Detectives confirmed the man was known to police and it was thought he had mental health issues.

Firefighters are continuing to battle the blaze which has burnt through 20ha of a pine plantation and bushland near Wellesley Road, Pleasure Road and Wellington Road.

A bushfire advice remains in place for the area.