SYDNEY: Australians who fled for their lives from raging bushfires
faced the trauma on Friday of returning to see if they still had homes,
as firefighters battled worsening conditions to douse about 100 blazes.
After two days of cooler weather, heat and high winds returned to much
of the country as fire crews tackled the infernos that have been burning
for a week, 20 of them out of control in the most populous state of New
South Wales.
The southern island state of Tasmania has been hardest hit, with more
than 100 homes razed, most in the fishing village of Dunalley which was
cut off by the fires, forcing some residents to make dramatic escapes by
boat.
The worst-affected areas have been in virtual lockdown since the
fast-moving flames wreaked devastation a week ago, and townspeople are
only now making the harrowing journey to inspect the damage.
Many have no idea whether their houses are still standing and with smoke
still billowing overhead, police warned fires remained active in the
area as emergency crews worked to clear roads and restore electricity
supplies.
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