‘Day from hell": Australian bushfires leave four dead, including 3 backpackers

At least four people - including three German backpackers - died in bushfires raging out of control in parts of Western Australia, authorities said Wednesday, with a shocked local community lamenting the “day from hell”. Several fast-moving blazes, sparked by lightning, were burning around Esperance some 750km (450 miles) south-east of Perth, with hundreds of firemen working round the clock in searing temperatures to put out the first serious fires ahead of the Australian summer. “Sadly, police have confirmed four fatalities,” state Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Wayne Gregson said, adding that two women and two men, in two separate cars, died trying to escape the flames.

It was the day from hell, it was devastating.

Esperance Shire President Victoria Brown

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the government was ready to offer assistance. "Summer can be a very challenging and dangerous time in Australia as we know and this is a tragic event,“ he said. "We are obviously ready to provide assistance whenever required." Esperance resident Kerry Greg said he broke down in tears when he heard about the fatalities. "Can’t believe it. It’s just devastating, absolutely terrible,” Greg, who runs a local service station, told the Nine Network.