Bush fires kill 14

Travel news advice updated: Australian Bush fires have killed at least 14 in the fires that are sweeping across south-eastern Australia, The number of deaths from wildfires that have already claimed 135 lives in the Australian state of Victoria is likely to rise, officials have warned

Firefighters have been battling against what are described as the worst conditions in the state’s history.

Witnesses described seeing walls of flames four storeys high, trees exploding and the skies raining ash, as fires tore across 30,000 hectares (115 sq miles) of forests, farmland and towns.

The Police suspect in at least one case fires have been restarted by arsonists after being extinguished by firefighters.

New South Wales Premier Nathan Rees said arsonists faced a maximum 25 years’ jail.

“We will throw the book at you if you are caught,” he was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

At least 640 homes have been destroyed in Victoria and about 14,000 homes are without power.

The worst single bushfire has burned 410 acres in a park near Melbourne. There are also three fires in the Hunter Valley region to the north of Sydney.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said the bushfire deaths had occurred at four towns in Victoria state.

Firefighters are battling dozens of bushfires in parks and bush land, amid a heatwave, with temperatures set to reach 47 C (117F) this weekend.

Aircraft are dropping water bombs and thousands of volunteer firemen are on standby.

If winds pick up, the authorities fear that the fire could spread.