Australian wildfire death toll to top 200: official

FIRE STORM

As investigators launched the country's largest ever arson investigation, police also warned that the death toll -- already the worst in Australia's history -- would rise further during the week. Photo courtesy of AFP.

by Staff Writers
Sydney (AFP) Feb 10, 2009
The death toll from the worst wildfires in Australia's history rose by eight to 181, police said Tuesday, as Victoria state Premier John Brumby said the final number would likely exceed 200.

The inferno has led to the destruction of more than 750 homes with some towns totally razed north of Melbourne.

More than 50 people were believed by the coroner to be "already deceased, but not yet identified," Brumby told reporters. "So this is going to a significant number, it will exceed 200 deaths."

As investigators launched the country's largest ever arson investigation, police also warned that the death toll -- already the worst in Australia's history -- would rise further during the week.

"Road by road, house by house, we are working our way through," Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon said.

"We believe the toll will rise. It's a very sad thing for all of us in our community... we hope towards the end of the weekend that the toll will start to settle in terms of numbers."

All of the deaths occurred at the weekend but fires continue to threaten towns across a huge area north and east of Melbourne.

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FIRE STORM

Investigators blame China's state TV station for fire tragedy

Beijing (AFP) Feb 10, 2009
Investigators Tuesday blamed China's state TV station for a huge blaze at its new headquarters that engulfed a hotel, saying fireworks it illegally set off to celebrate the Lunar New Year caused the fire.

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