Wildfires burn down houses, claim a life in Australia
19 Oct 2013 5:50 AM IST
Milder conditions were helping firefighters after unseasonably hot temperatures and strong winds on Thursday fanned flames across the parched landscape and threatened towns surrounding Sydney.
Rural Fire Service spokesman Matt Sun said the number of fires in New South Wales state had dropped from more than 100 overnight to 89, burning across 97,000 hectares (375 square miles). But 25 continued to burn out of control, he said.
Eighty-one homes were destroyed and another 37 damaged, the fire service said, with the number expected to rise as assessment teams and police move deeper into the destruction zone.
Roads and schools in the worst-hit areas were closed and officials were searching the rubble for survivors and victims. PM Tony Abbott said hundreds of homes may have been destroyed.
Rural Fire Service spokesman Matt Sun said the number of fires in New South Wales state had dropped from more than 100 overnight to 89, burning across 97,000 hectares (375 square miles). But 25 continued to burn out of control, he said.
Eighty-one homes were destroyed and another 37 damaged, the fire service said, with the number expected to rise as assessment teams and police move deeper into the destruction zone.
Roads and schools in the worst-hit areas were closed and officials were searching the rubble for survivors and victims. PM Tony Abbott said hundreds of homes may have been destroyed.
Next Story
