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Australian man charged with arson Australian man charged with arson
(about 2 hours later)
Australian police have charged a man with "arson causing death" over one of the country's deadly bushfires. Australian police have charged a man with arson causing death over one of the country's deadly bushfires.
The reports said the man was charged with lighting a fire, which killed at least 21 people, near the town of Churchill in the state of Victoria. The 39-year-old was also charged with deliberately lighting a bushfire near Churchill, in eastern Victoria state. The blaze killed at least 21 people.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has described Australia's deadliest bushfires as "mass murder". Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has described Australia's deadliest bushfires as mass murder.
At least 181 people were killed as the fires swept through Victoria in south-east Australia at the weekend.At least 181 people were killed as the fires swept through Victoria in south-east Australia at the weekend.
Reports that a suspect had been arrested first appeared in The Age newspaper and were later confirmed to several media by a police spokesperson. name="story"> class="bodl" href="#map">See map of fires
name="story"> The newspaper said the man is 39 years old and is from Churchill. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged on three counts - arson causing death, a crime which carries a maximum 25-year prison sentence; and of deliberately starting a bushfire.
class="bodl" href="#map">See map of fires He also faces unrelated charges of possessing child pornography.
Victoria Police Commissioner Christine Nixon said a fire in Churchill - about 140km (90 miles) south-east of Melbourne - was deliberately started. He did not appear in court in Morwell to hear the charges. His lawyer has described him as psychologically unwell and in a fragile mental state.
She added that it was possible a devastating blaze that killed at least 15 people in the town of Marysville was also the work of arsonists. class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7885627.stm">Marysville's journey to hell
Police have said murder by arson carries a maximum 25-year jail penalty. After being remanded in custody, the man was transferred to the state capital Melbourne, police say for his own safety because of public anger.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7885627.stm">Marysville's journey to hell 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. He will appear in court there on Monday.
Fire fighters are still trying to battle at least a dozen different blazes. Victoria Police Commissioner Christine Nixon has said it was possible a devastating blaze that killed at least 15 people in the town of Marysville was also the work of arsonists.
The tally of homes destroyed is now more than 1,800, and the number of people left homeless more than 7,000. Marysville - a town that was virtually wiped out - remains cordoned off.
The Australian government plans to hold a national day of mourning and has promised to remove bureaucratic hurdles that have prevented the creation of a nationwide fire alert system. Investigators are 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.
In other developments:
• Two men questioned in connection with allegations of looting in a fire-hit area are released without charge
• Police publish a photo-fit of a man wanted for questioning over a suspicious fire that started on Thursday in the Melbourne suburb of Ivanhoe. The fire has been brought under control
  • Firefighters are still trying to battle at least a dozen different blazes
  • The tally of homes destroyed is now more than 1,800, and the number of people left homeless more than 7,000
  • The Australian government plans to hold a national day of mourning and has promised to remove bureaucratic hurdles that have prevented the creation of a nationwide fire alert system.
    • Meanwhile, more than 150 actors, sports stars, politicians and musicians have taken part in a fundraising telethon.Meanwhile, more than 150 actors, sports stars, politicians and musicians have taken part in a fundraising telethon.
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