Bushfire destroys more than 100 homes but ‘worse may be yet to come’

Firefighters are struggling to control bushfires that have destroyed more than 100 homes in Australia. They warned of dangerous conditions and more fires ahead in the new year as the fires raged through one of Victoria’s most important tourist areas, the Great Ocean Road. Hundreds of people in the tourist town of Lorne spent Christmas night away from their homes after being urged to leave. However, while the toll of homes lost was confirmed at 116, no one had been killed or injured.

We will be back into hot, windy weather in January without a doubt. Everything’s available to burn.

Craig Lapsley, Victoria’s emergency services commissioner

Since being sparked by a lightning strike on 19 December, the fires have already burned through at least 2,000 hectares. On Christmas Day, the fires gathered pace and more than 100 homes were destroyed in the Wye River community and Separation Creek, both about 75 miles from Melbourne. Overnight rain dampened the blaze but officials warned: “This fire doesn’t go away.” The houses stood near the Great Ocean Road, which runs along the Victorian coastline and includes views of the rock formations known as the 12 Apostles. The road and nearby Great Otway National Park have been closed.

This is really a very challenging fire but one — in the planning and the execution, and indeed in terms of the outcomes — where no person has been harmed. That’s something that we can be very proud of

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews

World great ocean road