At least five properties have been lost in two out-of-control bushfires and more are at risk in Australia's south-eastern state of Victoria, officials said Sunday.
There are more than 30 fires burning across Victoria, with hot and windy conditions making it harder for fire fighters to work, according to emergency services.
Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes.
‘There's every likelihood that there will be further property losses,’ Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp told reporters. ‘It's a dangerous time.’ ‘This is an active fire. It is moving and there is every likelihood there will be more fire losses,’ he added.
The biggest out-of-control fire is at Bunyip state park, some 100 kilometres east of Melbourne, Australia's second largest city, with three properties destroyed.
Videos shared by local media showed one house exploding in the blaze.
The bushfire was sparked by multiple lightning strikes on Friday and has already burnt more than 6,300 hectares.
It is dangerously close to two electricity transmission lines linking the Latrobe Valley and Melbourne, electricity authorities said.
Some 850 firefighters with 120 fire trucks, bulldozers and 20 aircraft are battling the blaze.
