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Australia probes Victoria fires Australia probes Victoria fires
(about 1 hour later)
A public inquiry is due to open in Australia to look into the bush fires in Victoria state in February - some of the worst in the country's history. A public inquiry is due to open in Australia to look into the bush fires in Victoria state in February - the worst in the country's history.
The royal commission will consider the official response, and whether warning systems in place were adequate. The Royal Commission will consider the official response, and whether warning systems in place were adequate.
The panel will also look at a controversial plan to change the law to force people to leave their homes when bush fires approach.The panel will also look at a controversial plan to change the law to force people to leave their homes when bush fires approach.
More than 170 people were killed and 2,000 homes destroyed by the blazes.More than 170 people were killed and 2,000 homes destroyed by the blazes.
The BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney says the flames moved at such a frightening speed that warnings broadcast over local radio stations to endangered communities came after the flames had passed through. The first witness to give evidence at Monday's hearing in Melbourne will be Victoria's chief fire officer, Russell Rees.
Commission members are expected to ask him when warnings were issued to endangered communities.
The BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney says the flames moved at such a frightening speed that the warnings broadcast over local radio stations came after the flames had passed through.
Unaware of the intensity of the fires, residents could not make an informed decision about whether to flee or stay to protect their homes.Unaware of the intensity of the fires, residents could not make an informed decision about whether to flee or stay to protect their homes.
One area the commission will focus on is whether to bring in mandatory evacuations similar to those in other fire-prone countries.One area the commission will focus on is whether to bring in mandatory evacuations similar to those in other fire-prone countries.
But the proposed change would meet fierce opposition in bushland communities, our correspondent says.But the proposed change would meet fierce opposition in bushland communities, our correspondent says.