50 confirmed dead in Victorian bushfire disaster. Further casualtie expected.
In what is considered to be Victoria's worst bushfires (and natural disaster) since the Ash Wednesday fires in 1983 (in which 47 people in Victoria died), 50 people are confirmed dead. It could be days until the final deathtoll is realised, including local residents, firefighters, and those who suffered burns from the fires. At least 80 people are in hospitals with burns, with 3 not expected to last the night.
People tell their stories:
Jim, from Tanjil South, was still seeking refuge in his swimming pool with embers dropping in the water around him when he called ABC radio to describe his ordeal.
"It's almost like midnight and we can smell the fire... we're still in the pool here and we can hardly see here, it's so dark," he said.
"We were copping embers from southwest of where we are... we've had some cracking lightning and we're copping smoke and dust and God knows what."
Only one building left in Marysville:
Virtually the entire township of Marysville in the Yarra Valley was destroyed overnight as the East Kilmore and Murrindindi Mill fires merged into a massive 120,000 hectare inferno, now known as the Kinglake Complex.
More than 200,000 hectares of private and crown land has been burnt out, while flame and smoke-choked roads are littered with deserted cars.
Arsonist relighting fires:
While firebugs are being blamed for several blazes ravaging Victoria, the Country Fire Authority has confirmed that several fires are being deliberately relit by arsonists.
CFA deputy chief Steve Warrington said an arsonist is hampering firefighters’ efforts in Churchill with an intense blaze taking hold.
"We know we do have someone who is lighting fires in this community. While we often think it's spotting, we also know that there are people lighting fires deliberately," he said.
Photos via SMH gallery.