A devastating fire has claimed at least one home in Geraldton, with officials suspecting arson as the cause.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services in Western Australia announced today that they are treating the blaze as suspicious and will launch an investigation to determine its origins.

With scorching temperatures, dry conditions, and strong winds fueling the flames, hundreds of additional homes are still in jeopardy, as the fire’s path remains difficult to predict.

Although earlier emergency warnings have been downgraded, residents in Bluff Point, Spalding, Sunset Beach, and Moresby are urged to stay vigilant with a watch and act warning still in place.

For those needing refuge, the Northampton Recreation Centre and QEII Seniors and Community Centre have been set up as evacuation shelters.

Residents who evacuated Waggrakine and Moresby have been warned it is not safe to return home.

Fires have been burning in the region since the weekend.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a fire weather warning with extreme fire danger forecast for the Midwest Coast, including Geraldton, the Midwest Inland, Lesueur, Yarra Yarra and Swan Inland North.

The Bureau warns today will be hot to very hot and dry with fresh and gusty north to northeast winds during the morning ahead of a cooler southwesterly sea breeze extending throughout in the afternoon and evening.