Three missing as catastrophic bushfires hit Victoria amid extreme heat

Independent.co reports three people, including a child, are missing after bushfires tore through parts of Victoria under "catastrophic" conditions, destroying homes and prompting emergency warnings across south-eastern Australia. Around 40 fires were burning across the state, and police said a man, woman and child remain unaccounted for after a house burned down in Longwood East.

Country Fire Authority captain George Noye told ABC Radio: "The town’s been impacted severely. The main street looks like a bomb’s gone off." Officials said several properties have been destroyed and warned the situation could worsen; dozens of towns were under threat and total fire bans were declared.

Parts of Victoria recorded temperatures into the mid to high 40s, with Hopetoun airport reaching 46.3C, while strong north-westerly winds produced widespread gusts and raised the risk of rapid fire spread. Power outages increased to more than 90,000 customers as wind, falling trees and fire activity disrupted the electricity network.

Key Topics

World, Victoria, Longwood East, Country Fire Authority, George Noye, Jacinta Allan