Victorian bushfires death toll 'could top 200'

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Author	Victorian bushfires death toll 'could top 200'
>500 Joined: Jan 24, 2006 Posts: > 500 PM	Posted: 2009-02-09 13:15 "Towns have been declared crime scenes and the death toll in Victoria's bushfires could top 200 as the grisly search for bodies continues in communities which have been completely wiped out. By 9.30pm on Monday, the toll had reached 135 but that figure was certain to climb as identification experts were called in to take over from volunteer firefighters with the grim task of recovering bodies. Senior fire and parks officials have told staff they fear the toll will double. More than 700 homes have been destroyed, 330,000 hectares have been burnt out and more than 52 fires were listed as still burning throughout the state on Monday" more: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/na[....]toria-bushfires-claim-93-lives Temperature got to about 47 degrees here on the saturday just passed. hottest day on record in Melbourne. Would have been hotter in the country/bush. And look what happens.... Worst fires we've ever experienced. Police believe arson was to blame for some of the fires I hope those responsible suffer!!!!!!! Has this been on the news overseas?? _________________ May the be with you! [ This Message was edited by: >500 on 2009-02-09 12:16 ] [ This Message was edited by: >500 on 2009-02-09 12:17 ]

masseur Joined: Jan 03, 2003 Posts: > 500 From: Sydney, London PM	Posted: 2009-02-09 13:19 I've been watching it most of the weekend on Sky News. This morning, it was the top story with Rudd show his emotions during an interview Its bad enough we have fires every year in the first place, but its unbelievable that people want to add to the misery but lighting some on purpose, and that also happens every year >500, I assume you're well out of it? I didn't recognise many of the place names but the worst of it is an hour or so North from Melbourne I believe? _________________ Unless I'm very much mistaken... A-ZoTT
>500 Joined: Jan 24, 2006 Posts: > 500 PM	Posted: 2009-02-09 13:23 @masseur if the wind had been blowing the other way, very likely it would have taken out the suburb i live in according to a firefighter here. im in the last suburb of melbourne, people were warned from mid last week that it was going to be extremely warm, and with strong northerly winds. i guess people just want to stay and protect their homes. thinking about it, i would have left during the week just incase. but they are just words, id say it would be a lot harder to put into action. edit: regarding the whole arson thing... it was that hot on saturday and the wind was very very strong (northerly) even a couple rocks hitting together could have triggered a fire. none the less, im sure some were deliberately lit! was watching the news and while they were filming, it was that hot a tree just caught on fire. _________________ May the be with you! [ This Message was edited by: >500 on 2009-02-09 12:29 ]
masseur Joined: Jan 03, 2003 Posts: > 500 From: Sydney, London PM	Posted: 2009-02-09 13:27 having lived in Sydney for the last 10 years (well, apart from working over here), I don't remember much about the fires in Melbourne... but in Sydney a few years back I remember some huge bush fires and though we were'nt directly in the path of the fire, the wind was blowing the ashes our way and we had to keep watering the roof. The backyard looked like it had been snowing there was so much of the stuff! Unless I'm very much mistaken... A-ZoTT

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