Victorian Bushfires

The worst natrual bushfire diaster Australia has ever seen

(CNN) -- Australia's raging wildfires have killed at least 130 people, decimating massive spans of land and leaving thousands of residents homeless, as officials say they suspect arson in some of the blazes.


Craig Kidd looks at the melted wheels of his vehicles after a fire swept his property on February 9 in Bendigo.
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The fires have swept through the state of Victoria, leaving some firefighters and police to describe the destruction "as something of a holocaust," said Phil Shepherd, an inspector with the Victoria State Police.

"We had an impact all over the state," Shepherd told CNN Monday, adding that two towns have been "completely wiped out."

In an interview with Australian television, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said he fears the situation will get worse before it gets better.

"I think it's important that the nation braces itself for more bad news ... this is a little horror which few of us anticipated," Rudd said, breaking down in tears at one point during the interview.

News that officials think some of the fires may have been deliberately set brought a note of disgust from the prime minister.

"What do you say about anyone like that?" Rudd said. "There's no words to describe it, other than it's mass murder." Some of the fires are now considered crime scenes and are being investigated by authorities.

As many as 400 Australian troops will be heading to affected areas to aid in rescue and recovery efforts and resettlement services will be provided to displaced families, Rudd said. Watch the devastation brought to homes »

Police are calling the wildfires the worst in the nation's history. Firefighters on the scene have been working with other emergency service personnel to cut fire breaks while police erect roadblocks to evacuate residents, Shepherd said.

The number of dead has exceeded the toll of 75 in the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983, and close to 200,000 hectares (500,000 acres) of land have burned, according to Kendra Jackson, leading senior constable of Australia's Victoria state police.

Thousands of weary firefighters spent Sunday fighting a losing battle to contain the flames.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Disaster Relief
• Australian Politics
• Kevin Rudd
• Emergency Services
• Natural Disasters
• Ethan Alexander
• John Coleridge
• World Politics
• Politics
• Asia-Pacific Politics
• Michelle Achison
• Queen Elizabeth II
• Wildfires
• Australia
• Kieran Walshe
• Melbourne
• Media
• Accidents and Disasters
• Phil Shepherd

[devinedarknesssgirl]

people want to look and remember those who DIED in these fires, i lost friends and family, andd yet u call can sit here and debate on what is a aussie and what is not. well get over it people are dead and ur all disgusting

[bentarrow169]

im an aussie, i live in cronulla n im free so what the fuck are you on about!!

the labs in the riot only got attacked cause they started it..they were the cause of all the problems..if you came here n did the same thing id punch the fuck outa you aswell!! come here n respect our culture n way of life then you have no problem, disrepect it n its on bitch!! n freedom in japan ha!! your laws are a joke!! its illegal to double someone on a bike there!!! bwahahahahaha yeh you got freedom..pffft!

[cjhrjone54]

You see that @ 5:41? that is my father, that how traumatized we were. All you cunts who don't give a fuck out there cause you don't believe a million people saying "I was involved in those terrible fires", well fuck you. That is my father and we are lucky to be alive. Our Olive Grove saved us from the fires, Kinglake Olive Grove. Remember that name. R.I.P All who died on that day, and my mums friend as well who was a very important person. You will still live on in our hearts. <3

[cjhrjone54]

@jabbs72 omg sorry, wrong guy... D:

[3Slim3Shady3]

im glad that next time ill be able to join the crews in the fight.

[spankiibiankii]

@pyromaniac54323 im so sorry to hear about your loss

[airforcer4]

when i heard the dude had lost his two kids i just had a lump in my throat and i just couldnt stop thinking bout it.

[TroyM437]

@Creepingdeath047 , Have some fucking sympathy heaps of people fucking died. Yeah i bet ya wouldnt be laughing if your dad died. but you know if your dad died i'll be laughing. have a good life you faggot.

[GoddyofWar]

You're a cunt.

[Creepingdeath047]

build a bridge and get over it