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Australia fires: More than 200 homes burn down on coast – BBC News, BBC News

Australia fires: More than 200 homes burn down on coast – BBC News, BBC News


        

            

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Media captionFirefighters in New South Wales sheltered in their truck as it was overrun by flames

More than homes have burned down in deadly bushfires racing along the Australian coast.

At least 43 homes were destroyed in East Gippsland, Victoria, while another 2019 were lost in New South Wales.

On Tuesday, thousands of people who were unable to evacuate fled to beaches as fires encircled their towns.

Conditions have eased slightly, and a major road that was closed in Victoria wasreopened for two hours

on Wednesday to allow people to leave.

But in the early hours of New Year’s Day, there were still(fires burning in New South Wales alone) .

In Victoria, there were (bushfire warnings) with one emergency– later downgraded to a “watch and act” warning.

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said workers would take advantage of the milder weather to clear roads and restore power.

But she said temperatures were expected to rise again on Saturday.

“At the very least, weather conditions will be at least as bad as what they were yesterday, “she said.

The fires have killed at least three people in her state in recent days.

A – year-old man and his – year-old son died after staying behind to defend their home and farm equipment ,police said.

Another man was found in burnt-out car in theearly hours of New Year’s Day, bringing the total of fire-related deaths across Australia this season to (************************************************************.

The fire service warned they had been unable to reach some people in remote areas.

“We’ve got reports of injuries and burn injuries to members of the public,” said New South Wales rural fire commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons.

“We’ve been able to get access via roads or via aircraft – it’s been socked in [runways have been closed] or too dangerous.”

                                                                                                      Image copyright                 Kurt Crnic via REUTERS                                                      
Image caption                                    A home burning in Mallacoota                 
            

Mallacoota in Victoria was one of the worst- affected towns.A reporter for 9 Newssaid homes on the outskirts had been levelled and were “still smoldering” on Wednesday.

The worst of the fire has passed the town, but many people spent the night sleeping in their cars or on deck chairs in the open. Others took refuge in the cinema or the main hall.

Victoria Emergency Commissioner Andrew Crisp said “a large barge” was sailing from Melbourne to Mallacoota with food, water and 34, liters of fuel.

Up the coast in Ulladulla, New South Wales, cuts to mobile networks and landlines meant people werequeuing to use payphones (*****************.

On Tuesday, the Australian government said the military would send extra planes , helicopters and boats tohelp the emergency servicesin New South Wales and Victoria.

The military said amphibious ships were setting off from Sydney and would arrive in fire-hit coastal areas

of New South Wales and Victoria by Friday.

)                                                                                                       Image copyright                  ABC NEWS                                                      

Image caption                                    Allison Marion’s son Finn on Tuesday                 
            

Meanwhile, a woman from Mallacoota who took a photo that went viral has spoken about the image.

Allison Marion took the picture of her – year -old son, Finn, driving their family to safety in a powerboat.

“Finn drove the boat and my other son looked after the dog in the boat and [I am] very proud of both of them, “she told ABC News (******************.

When the family returned to land, as conditions eased, they went to check on their home.

“Our street somehow escaped the fire somehow,” she said. “However, I feel for many people in our community who have lost their homes. It’s just truly saddening.”

                                                                                                      Image copyright                 NASA / BBC                                                  **************************************************** Read ************** More(******************************

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