Death toll soars as Australia bushfire devastates Victoria
- 00:03:41
- ITN
Death toll soars as Australia bushfire devastates Victoria
At least 76 people have died in the worst bushfires in Australia's history. The fire storm tore through several towns north of Melbourne on Saturday night, killing people in their cars as they tried to flee or as they huddled in their homes. Thousands of firefighters are still battling scores of fires in Victoria and New South Wales. The previous worst bushfire tragedy was in 1983, when 75 people were killed in the "Ash Wednesday" fires. Firefighters said at least 640 homes were destroyed in the fires across Victoria State so far this weekend, the vast majority in the worst-affected areas north of Melbourne. Many of those confirmed dead were trapped in cars trying to flee one of the infernos. Thousands of firefighters battled for a second straight day on Sunday to contain the blazes, which witnesses said reached four storeys high. Fires are still burning across about 770 sq miles north of Melbourne, with towns remaining under threat. Wildfires are a natural annual event in Australia, but this year a combination of scorching weather, drought and tinder-dry bush has created prime conditions for blazes to take hold. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said: "Hell and its fury have visited the good people of Victoria."
ITN | February 8, 2009
