This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20918692
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Tasmania wildfires force thousands to flee | Tasmania wildfires force thousands to flee |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Wildfires on the Australian island of Tasmania have forced thousands of people to flee and destroyed at least 80 homes. | Wildfires on the Australian island of Tasmania have forced thousands of people to flee and destroyed at least 80 homes. |
| Much of Australia is experiencing a heatwave, and temperatures in the Tasmanian state capital Hobart earlier reached a record high of 41C. | Much of Australia is experiencing a heatwave, and temperatures in the Tasmanian state capital Hobart earlier reached a record high of 41C. |
| Some took shelter on beaches on the Tasman peninsula, from where hundreds were rescued by boat. | Some took shelter on beaches on the Tasman peninsula, from where hundreds were rescued by boat. |
| Fire crews have also been battling blazes on mainland Australia. | Fire crews have also been battling blazes on mainland Australia. |
| In Tasmania, some 40 separate fires were burning across the island, despite temperatures falling back from their peak. | In Tasmania, some 40 separate fires were burning across the island, despite temperatures falling back from their peak. |
| "While those fires did abate, they're still doing a bit of damage," Tasmania Fire Service spokesman John Holloway told ABC TV. | "While those fires did abate, they're still doing a bit of damage," Tasmania Fire Service spokesman John Holloway told ABC TV. |
| The 80 homes were destroyed in the community of Dunalley, east of Hobart. | |
| Police were investigating reports that one man was missing after a fire crew was trapped by the blaze. | Police were investigating reports that one man was missing after a fire crew was trapped by the blaze. |
| "They had to take shelter in their vehicle as the fire burned over their vehicle," said acting Police Commissioner Scott Tilyard. | "They had to take shelter in their vehicle as the fire burned over their vehicle," said acting Police Commissioner Scott Tilyard. |
| "They were, from that location as I understand it, able to see a gentlemen who was trying to protect his property and they couldn't get to him, it was too unsafe." | "They were, from that location as I understand it, able to see a gentlemen who was trying to protect his property and they couldn't get to him, it was too unsafe." |
| Wildfires are common in Australia. In 2009, fires in rural Victoria state killed more than 170 people and destroyed some 2,000 homes. | Wildfires are common in Australia. In 2009, fires in rural Victoria state killed more than 170 people and destroyed some 2,000 homes. |