Arson suspected in Australia fires as world extends help to rebuild
10 Feb 2009
Australia is reeling under the effects of the worst natural disaster to strike the island in a century - raging wildfires that have wiped out entire communities over the weekend and led to the deaths of at least 173 people. Officials expect the death toll to rise as teams search the remains of some 750 homes, hundreds of cars and entire towns that have fallen victim to the flames.
Authorities suspect arson was involved in several of the more than 400 fires that spanned 850 square miles; officials have launched an investigation, declaring towns in Victoria crime scenes. "There's no words to describe it, other than it's mass murder," said Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who has suspended parliament and is surveying the damage across the region.
The fires, fed by record heat, roared through towns and homes like a blast furnace, as searing winds touched off miles of dry grass and brush. Researchers say because of global warming, Australians can expect larger, more intense fires from now on. (See: Climate change blamed for Australia's worst bushfire)
The prime minister also promised that the areas damaged by fires would by rebuilt "brick by brick" and "school by school". He appealed for people to donate money, but said there would be no limit to the amount of money the government would spend. He said, "We will rebuild each of these communities... until one day we can look back and say these towns have been reborn."
Several countries, including India, have already extended their sympathies and offered aid to deal with the crisis. More than 30 US firefighters were reportedly flying to Australia to join reinforcements from fire departments around the country who are heading to Victoria state, where the inferno began on Saturday. The US has also offered the expertise of aviation managers, planning section chiefs and specialists in land rehabilitation, AAP reported.
New Zealand is sending 100 firefighters and Singapore has offered a fleet of Super Puma helicopters. In a letter to the Australian Prime Minister, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong volunteered the helicopters stationed at Oakey in the northeastern Australian state of Queensland for the relief effort.
In a letter to Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, Japan's Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone extended 'any cooperation' necessary from the Japanese.
Smith had also spoken to Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who offered assistance, and Iran's Foreign Minister Mottaki Manouchehr, who sent wishes of solidarity.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told Rudd that Britain stood ready to help, while Queen Elizabeth II issued a statement expressing her shock at the loss of so many lives. Rudd said Australia welcomed each of the offers of support and expressions of sympathy from around the world.
''It is good that they have come,'' he said. ''All Victorians and all Australians should know that in this darkest hour they are not alone.''
Australians have responded with unprecedented generosity, charities said on Tuesday, pledging more than A$30 million to relief appeals. The Red Cross said its public appeal for the disaster had topped $28 million late Tuesday, up from $7 million 24 hours earlier
