A volunteer firefighter has died while responding to a bushfire threatening homes near Esperance in Western Australia’s south.

The man was part of a crew in a private firefighting vehicle responding to the blaze near Coomalbidgup, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said in a statement on Tuesday night.

Ambulance crews were called to the fireground on Tuesday afternoon after a man was understood to have fallen from a firetruck, the West Australian reported.

The fire began on Tuesday morning and burnt more than 7000 hectares.

It is about 640 kilometres south-east of Perth.

WA Premier Roger Cook expressed his condolences on X, formerly Twitter on Tuesday night.

‘‘I am devastated to learn the news that a volunteer firefighter has died while battling a bushfire near Esperance. Our first responders put their lives on the line every day in the service of keeping our community, and our state, safe,’’ he tweeted.

‘‘This is an absolute tragedy, and I know the thoughts of all Western Australians are with the young man’s family and friends.’’

Tweet from @dfes_wa

An emergency alert has been issued for parts of Coomalbidgup and Cascade with residents in the affected areas urged to leave if they can.

A number of roads have been closed.

DFES said there will be an investigation into the man’s death and WA Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

In recent days several emergency-level bushfires have engulfed homes and ripped through bushland, rural properties and suburbs on Perth’s fringes, while firefighters have battled dozens of blazes across the state.

-AAP