The death toll from bush fires, sweeping Southern Australia, has reached 176. The fires, thought to be the work of arsonists, have scorched 115 sq miles of forest and farmland and destroyed over 700 homes. Many of the dead were found in their cars trying to escape from the blaze which spread rapidly and engulfed whole towns. The fires have been spurred on by 8 weeks without rain, strong, unpredictable winds and 47 degree heat. Fire officials say despite a drop in temperatures they will not be able to fully control the infernos until there is substantial rainfall. Hospitals in Melbourne have been inundated with people suffering from burns, "They range from minor, just the soles of their feet running away through embers, to people who've got major, life-threatening burns," Said a hospital spokesperson."And unfortunately there are some people who will not survive."
Eye-witnesses report seeing "walls of flames" four storeys high with ash raining from the sky. Many were caught out by the "sheer speed and ferocity" of the fire and towns were rapidly engulfed. These fires are the worst in Australia's history, far surpassing the 1983 fires which killed 75 and destroyed 2,300 homes on a day which has become known as' Ash Wednesday'.
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