Nine high-rise buildings in Perth have been identified as using aluminium cladding similar to that which sparked a devastating blaze in Melbourne’s Docklands.

A cigarette on an eighth-floor balcony started November’s fire in the Lacrosse building. Combustible wall cladding imported from China and not tested to Australian standards allowed the fire to race up to the 21st floor.

Authorities in Victoria and WA are carrying out audits of high-rise buildings, and a Senate inquiry into the impact of non-conforming building products has begun.

WA Building Commissioner Peter Gow told insuranceNEWS.com.au nine buildings have been highlighted as potential concerns – but use of the cladding does not necessarily indicate a problem.

“The next stage is to contact the builders involved to find out what was specified and what was actually put in,” he said.

“At this point we have found no specific failures to comply, but clearly if we find problems we will drill deeper and deeper.”

Mr Gow says he is “guardedly optimistic” that there will be no disastrous consequences in Perth.

“Most multi-storey buildings here tend to be made with pre-cast concrete, with the cladding on top. This means there is still a fire-proof wall behind the cladding.”

He says further audits will be carried out in other areas of WA.