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| Australian bush fires turn deadly | Australian bush fires turn deadly |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Fourteen people have been killed in savage wildfires burning in southern Australia, and police fear as many as 40 people may have perished. | Fourteen people have been killed in savage wildfires burning in southern Australia, and police fear as many as 40 people may have perished. |
| The deaths occurred at four towns in Victoria state, state deputy police commissioner Kieran Walsh said. | The deaths occurred at four towns in Victoria state, state deputy police commissioner Kieran Walsh said. |
| Firefighters are battling dozens of fires in parks and bush land, amid a heatwave, with temperatures set to reach 47 C (117F) this weekend. | Firefighters are battling dozens of fires in parks and bush land, amid a heatwave, with temperatures set to reach 47 C (117F) this weekend. |
| Aircraft are dropping water bombs and thousands of firemen are on standby. | Aircraft are dropping water bombs and thousands of firemen are on standby. |
| name="top"> More than 100 homes have been destroyed in seven major blazes in Victoria. | |
| See a map of the fire-affected areas | |
| Officials say they are battling against the worst fire conditions in the state's history. | Officials say they are battling against the worst fire conditions in the state's history. |
| Six people have been killed in the township of Kinglake, four at Wandong, three at Strathewen and one at Clonbinane - all in Victoria state. | Six people have been killed in the township of Kinglake, four at Wandong, three at Strathewen and one at Clonbinane - all in Victoria state. |
| The whole of Kinglake was ablaze, according to the BBC's Nick Bryant, in Sydney. | The whole of Kinglake was ablaze, according to the BBC's Nick Bryant, in Sydney. |
| More than 200 local people took refuge in a pub, our correspondent says. | More than 200 local people took refuge in a pub, our correspondent says. |
| Tens of thousands of firefighters are trying to contain blazes in two further states - New South Wales and South Australia - but blazes there were largely contained or burning away from residential areas. | Tens of thousands of firefighters are trying to contain blazes in two further states - New South Wales and South Australia - but blazes there were largely contained or burning away from residential areas. |
| However if winds pick up, the authorities fear that the fires could spread. | However if winds pick up, the authorities fear that the fires could spread. |
| Fightback | Fightback |
| The fire service is using water-bombing aircraft to contain fires. Thousands of volunteers are using water hoses. | The fire service is using water-bombing aircraft to contain fires. Thousands of volunteers are using water hoses. |
| "It's just going to be, probably by a long way, the worst day ever in the history of the state in terms of temperatures and winds," Victoria Premier John Brumby said. | "It's just going to be, probably by a long way, the worst day ever in the history of the state in terms of temperatures and winds," Victoria Premier John Brumby said. |
| "It is extremely dry. We do have some concern about the winds winds picking up and having an impact on the fire," a spokesman for Victoria state's Country Fire Authority told Reuters. | "It is extremely dry. We do have some concern about the winds winds picking up and having an impact on the fire," a spokesman for Victoria state's Country Fire Authority told Reuters. |
| In 1983, a wildfire killed 75 people, on a day known as Ash Wednesday. | In 1983, a wildfire killed 75 people, on a day known as Ash Wednesday. |
| Return | |
| Are you in the area affected by the fires? Tell us your story using the form far below. | Are you in the area affected by the fires? Tell us your story using the form far below. |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. |
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