Posted on 02/08/2009 3:31:42 AM PST by Dundee
THE death toll from Victoria's bushfires has risen to 84, amid grave fears for towns in the state's northeast as fires continue to rage out of control.
Five people died at Flowerdale, two people at Hazeldene and three at Taggerty, while two more people were confirmed dead at Kinglake and a further person died at St Andrews. A person from Yea died in hospital.
The toll already surpasses the 28 in South Australia and the 47 Victorians that died in the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires, while the Black Friday blaze in 1939 claimed 71 lives.
...Hundreds of homes have already been destroyed and at least 200,000 hectares of land has been burnt out in more than 400 fires in every part of the state over the weekend.
...Most of the fire victims have come from areas just north of Melbourne with 12 people dying in the Kinglake area. Four people have died at St Andrews, Wandong and Callignee.
...some of the fires are believed to have been deliberately lit...
A police spokeswoman said anyone found to have lit the fires would likely be charged with murder or manslaughter...
Police confirmed another victim in Marysville amid fears more fatalities may be discovered around there and in the town of Kinglake - both of which have been virtually destroyed by bushfires...
The threat to townships from the Bunyip Ridge and Churchill fires in Gippsland has subsided, but residents need to remain alert, fire authorities say. The Bunyip Ridge fire, which has burned 24,500 hectares, impacted heavily on the township of Labertouche on Saturday.
...Police anticipate the death toll from the Victorian bushfires will rise through the day as they investigate vehicles abandoned in the inferno...
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.news.com.au ...
That many people dead because of a brush fire amazes me. Clearly these must be very large, fast moving fires.
Prayers for the people of Australia.
Terrible,terrible,
Prayers for rain for Australia
I have a fellow Brother in Victoria. Chatted with him last night, it’s sad over there.
prayers going up.
Prayers for all in harm’s way.
Prayers up for the people of Australia.
death toll at 96 now
When I heard “85 dead”, I was shocked. Now it is at 96? That is horrible news. I have heard that the temperatures are very high, which no doubt makes it spread faster.
Prayers for those poor people.
Islamists were advocating arson last September:
http://www.theage.com.au/national/islam-group-urges-forest-fire-jihad-20080906-4b53.html?page=-1
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