Insurance losses from the bush fire in Perth Hills are estimated at $13m as of yesterday,  the Insurance Council of Australia has told Insurance Business.

The bushfire ravaged Perth Hills over the weekend and the early part of this week, destroying more than 50 homes, burning through more than 400 hectares, and leaving one dead.

A spokesman for the ICA said preliminary figures suggest that almost 300 claims have been lodged and insurance losses are $13m. The Department of Fire & Emergency Services has said the bush fire is contained and under control.

A ‘bushfire watch and act’ alert remains in place for people in the eastern part of the Parkerville, Stoneville and Mount Helena in the shire of Mundaring.

Residents were yesterday allowed to return to their homes to assess the damage.