Jordan "Jordo" MARSHALL
Jordan "Jordo" MARSHALL
Firefighters worked tirelessly overnight to keep the bushfires from affecting communities and easing weather conditions have also helped pull back the blaze.
An emergency bushfire warning remains for the popular tourist town of Margaret River and Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park as out-of-control fires continue to cause havoc, threatening lives and properties.
Residents are in significant danger and need to act immediately to survive.
More than 150 firefighters have battled to strengthen containment lines in hot and windy weather, as the fast-moving blaze has torn through more than 5000 hectares of the National Park.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Jordan Marshall, the real estate agent missing in the Margaret River fire zone since last Wednesday.
Mr Marshall, 40, was due to appear for a scheduled court matter in Fremantle Magistrates Court on Monday morning but failed to appear.
His burnt-out car was found near where a bushfire broke out in Margaret River last week.
Family, friends and police have concerns for Mr Marshall’s welfare.
The father-of-three was on bail at the time of his disappearance.
He was last seen near Mammoth Cave on December 8, the day the bushfire broke out.
After blazing out of control for several days, the fire is now contained after burning out approximately 5,500 hectares of land.
WA Police confirmed that the arson unit, Strike Force Vulcan, is on the scene.
On Saturday the unit released a statement confirming their suspicion that the fire had been deliberately lit.
“Based on an initial assessment of the fire scene it is believed the fire was deliberately lit and may have been ignited near Mammoth Cave,” the statement said.
“Detectives would like to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the vicinity of Mammoth Cave on Wednesday, December 8 or who has dashcam or mobile phone vision of people or vehicles in the area at the time.”
Police have not stated whether they believe Mr Marshall was involved in the bushfire.
But his failure to appear in court on Monday has prompted the issuing of an arrest warrant for failing to comply with bail conditions.
Mr Marshall was due to appear on one count each of criminal damage or destruction of property and unlawfully assault and bodily harm with circumstances of aggravation.
The first charge relates to an incident that happened on December 4 in White Gum Valley, police said.
The second charge stems from an incident that happened on the same day in South Fremantle.
He is also charged with a further three counts of criminal damage or destruction of property, and is due to face court on those charges on December 31.
Mr Marshall’s brother Dan told The West Australian that Jordan was suffering from mental health issues.
“We appreciate that the community is currently facing a bushfire emergency in the area, and we are deeply saddened by the unfolding impact of the fire,” he said.
“We are pleading with members of the community to keep an eye out for Jordan, and to check their properties for any signs of him.
“We would appreciate any help that will bring our Jordo home.”
Mr Marshall isdescribed as having a solid build with short brown hair and brown eyes.
He is about 170cm tall.
Police have asked anyone with information of the whereabouts of Mr Marshall to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at crimestopperswa.com.au.
Police are still trying to locate a missing 40-year-old man whose burnt-out car was found at the centre of the Margaret River bushfire that broke out last week.
Real estate agent Jordan Marshall has not been seen since December 8 when the fire started.
It comes as investigations are continuing into the blaze which burnt through nearly 8000 hectares of forest, with police believing the fire is suspicious.
Deputy Police Commissioner Gary Driebergs said police are “extremely concerned” for his welfare.
“We have no idea where he is at this point in time,” he said on 6PR Breakfast.
“But there is concerns he could be in that fire scene as well, but we just don’t know at this point in time.
“There’s a lot of concerns for his welfare … we continue to look for him.
“His family’s very concerned, we’re very concerned, and if anybody does come across, or has seen Jordan Marshall since December 8 we certainly want them to assist us by contacting Crime Stoppers.”
The concerned family of a missing man last seen in the vicinity of where last week's Margaret River bushfire originated are appealing for community support as they continue the search for him.
Jordan Marshall's burnt out vehicle was located at Mammoth Cave, however police have maintained the 40-year-old is not linked to the fire, which they say was deliberately lit.
Mr Marshall had failed to appear in court on three counts of criminal damage or destruction of property relating to an earlier unrelated incident, and an arrest warrant has since been issued.
Close to 8,000 hectares of bushland was burnt in the fire, which started on Wednesday last week and sparked an Emergency Level warning.
It is now likely parts of popular Caves Road and other tourist attractions will be closed for weeks due to falling trees.
Family members and friends of Mr Marshall are continuing to search the area for the father of three.
Mr Marshall's younger brother, Daniel, said his sibling was diagnosed with a mental health condition last year.
"Jordan had been getting active treatment but was becoming increasing unwell," Daniel Marshall said.
Daniel Marshall said he had been in contact with his brother via text message on the Sunday prior to Wednesday's bushfire.
"He [Jordan] said that he was apologetic for not being himself, that he loved me, he was taking his medications and that he was otherwise doing OK," Daniel Marshall said.
"It was a relatively positive exchange."
He said he was at a loss to explain why his brother had been in the vicinity of Mammoth Cave.
"We've driven up and down Caves Road hundreds of times looking for waves and he has never been interested in caves," he said.
"I have no idea why he would have gone to Mammoth Caves, of all places."
Conjecture on social media linking Mr Marshall with the fire drew a response from Margaret River Officer in Charge, Simone Taplin, who said while police "definitely want to speak to Jordan Marshall" continued commentary could further deter him from making contact.
"He was in the area at the time this incident occurred and we are hoping to get some information from him if he is found," Sergeant Taplin said.
Sergeant Taplin said police were broadening lines of inquiry to determine a possible suspect.
WA Police issued the following statement to ABC South West at the time of the fire: "There is nothing to suggest Mr Marshall is linked to fire — that is not currently an active line of inquiry."
Daniel Marshall said he was appreciative of the assistance of emergency services and community members who had joined the search for his brother, but called for understanding of mental health issues and their impacts on individuals and families.
"To see him being dealt a trial by media is without everyone knowing the person that he is.
"I'm sure a lot of those same people could relate to other family or friends of their own that are going through a tough situation in their lives."
A new alert has been issued for the public’s help to find missing WA man Jordan Marshall, who has not been seen since December 8.
Mr Marshall was last seen at the Mammoth Cave campsite in Boranup, part of the Margaret River region that was badly affected by bushfires at the same time.
The former real-estate agent’s car was found burnt-out near the campsite but the 40-year-old has not been found.
Police, family and friends have concerns for his welfare, with friends saying he was struggling with his mental health before he went missing.
HIs brother Dan pleaded for the public to “keep an eye out” for him.
“We are pleading with members of the community to keep an eye out for Jordan, and to check their properties for any signs of him,” he said.
“We would appreciate any help that will bring our Jordo home.”
An arrest warrant was issued for Mr Marshall on December 13 after he failed to appear for a court hearing.
The father-of-three was on bail at the time of his disappearance.
He was due to appear at Fremantle Magistrates Court on one count each of criminal damage or destruction of property and unlawfully assault and bodily harm with circumstances of aggravation.
The first charge relates to an alleged incident that happened on December 4 in White Gum Valley, police said.
The second charge stems from an incident that allegedly occurred on the same day in South Fremantle.
He is also charged with a further three counts of criminal damage or destruction of property, and is due to face court on those charges on December 31.
Mr Marshall is described by police as being 170cm tall, with a solid build, brown hair in a mohawk style, brown eyes, and facial hair.
He was last seen wearing black shorts and a white T-shirt.
Anyone who sees him or has information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call the police immediately on 131 444.