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Australia to rethink fire policy Australia to rethink fire policy
(about 2 hours later)
The Australian government has said it would remove bureaucratic hurdles that have prevented the creation of a nationwide fire alert system. The Australian government has said it will remove bureaucratic hurdles that have prevented the creation of a nationwide fire alert system.
It is thought that such a system could have saved lives at the weekend, when bushfires tore through the state of Victoria, killing at least 181 people.It is thought that such a system could have saved lives at the weekend, when bushfires tore through the state of Victoria, killing at least 181 people.
A massive police inquiry is continuing into Australia's worst-ever bushfires. Meanwhile, more than 150 actors, sports stars, politicians and musicians have taken part in a fundraising telethon.
Earlier, police reportedly quizzed two men in connection with allegations of looting in a badly fire-hit area. The fires injured some 500 people, and left nearly 5,000 people homeless.
Some of Australia's biggest stars involved in the national televised event included actors Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman, Olympian Cathy Freeman and cricketer Shane Warne.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced a day of national mourning - the exact date has yet to be decided.
He said there would be a memorial service to remember the victims of the bushfires.
FundraisingFundraising
Privacy laws and arguments over funding have been obstacles in the way of a nationwide telephone fire alert system - but the federal government has indicated that it will move quickly to create one.Privacy laws and arguments over funding have been obstacles in the way of a nationwide telephone fire alert system - but the federal government has indicated that it will move quickly to create one.
See map of fires See map of fires
Such a system may have saved lives by sending text messages to mobile phones urging residents to flee.Such a system may have saved lives by sending text messages to mobile phones urging residents to flee.
Police now believe that arsonists were responsible for at least two of the deadly fires.Police now believe that arsonists were responsible for at least two of the deadly fires.
Victorian Police Commissioner Christine Nixon said a fire in Churchill - about 90 miles (140km) south-east of Melbourne - which killed at least 21 people, was deliberately started. Nicole Kidman was among the celebrity names supporting the telethonVictoria Police Commissioner Christine Nixon said a fire in Churchill - about 90 miles (140km) south-east of Melbourne - which killed at least 21 people, was deliberately started.
Nicole Kidman is one of the celebrity names supporting the telethonShe added that it was possible a devastating blaze that killed at least 15 people in the town of Marysville was the work of arsonists. She added that it was possible a devastating blaze that killed at least 15 people in the town of Marysville was the work of arsonists.
Police would charge anyone suspected of starting one of the fatal bushfires with murder by arson, which carries a maximum 25-year jail penalty, she said.Police would charge anyone suspected of starting one of the fatal bushfires with murder by arson, which carries a maximum 25-year jail penalty, she said.
Later on Thursday, a telethon is being broadcast on national television to help raise money for those affected by the fires.
Some of Australia's biggest stars throwing their weight behind the event include actors Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman, Olympian Cathy Freeman and cricketer Shane Warne.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced that there will be a day of national mourning - the exact date has yet to be announced -and he said there would be a memorial service to remember the victims of the bushfires.
Mr Rudd has described the bushfires as "mass murder", and pledged to rebuild damaged communities, with no limit on federal spending.Mr Rudd has described the bushfires as "mass murder", and pledged to rebuild damaged communities, with no limit on federal spending.
The fires injured some 500 people, left nearly 5,000 people homeless and razed 450,000 hectares (1.1 million acres) of land. Meanwhile, two men questioned earlier on Thursday in connection with allegations of looting in a fire-hit area were released without charge, according to local media reports quoting police.
Difficult identificationDifficult identification
Despite rain overnight and cooler weather on Thursday, firefighters were continuing to battle several blazes. Despite cooler weather on Thursday, firefighters were continuing to battle several blazes.
Advertisement class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7885627.stm">Marysville's journey to hell
Anger at the looters and arsonists is rising
With bodies still being retrieved from some charred towns, police have barred some residents from returning to their homes, saying the scenes would be too gruesome to bear.With bodies still being retrieved from some charred towns, police have barred some residents from returning to their homes, saying the scenes would be too gruesome to bear.
Marysville - a town that was virtually wiped out - remains cordoned off.Marysville - a town that was virtually wiped out - remains cordoned off.
Investigators were still scouring the town where 80% of buildings were destroyed, and they had not been able to identify and remove all bodies, State Premier John Brumby said.Investigators were still scouring the town where 80% of buildings were destroyed, and they had not been able to identify and remove all bodies, State Premier John Brumby said.
Marysville's journey to hell
Up to 100 of the town's 500 residents are thought to have been killed, and Mr Brumby said he thought the final death toll would top 200.Up to 100 of the town's 500 residents are thought to have been killed, and Mr Brumby said he thought the final death toll would top 200.
In Kinglake on Wednesday, residents were allowed to return to the charred remains of their homes for the first time since the devastation. The fires razed 450,000 hectares (1.1 million acres) of land.
Ms Nixon said there had been several reports of looting in the affected areas.
"Certainly some [firefighting] volunteers and citizens have told us that they have seen strange people in their neighbourhoods," she said.
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