Fourteen people have been killed in savage wildfires burning in southern Australia, and police fear as many as 40 people may have perished.
The deaths occurred at four towns in Victoria state, state deputy police commissioner Kieran Walsh said.
Firefighters are battling dozens of fires 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 firemen are on standby.
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Officials say they are battling against the worst fire conditions in the state's history.
Six people have been killed in the township of Kinglake, four at Wandong, three at Strathewen and one at Clonbinane - all in Victoria state.
The whole of Kinglake was ablaze, according to the BBC's Nick Bryant, in Sydney.
More than 200 local people took refuge in a pub, our correspondent says.
Tens of thousands of firefighters are trying to contain blazes in two further states - New South Wales and South Australia - but blazes there were largely contained or burning away from residential areas.
However if winds pick up, the authorities fear that the fires could spread.
Article Source:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7876205.stm
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