Victoria and Melbourne Bushfires

[Bloke]

Feb is here,

My heart goes out to all the families and relatives of the terrible fires,

The loss of lives , pets , property , so devistating for all concerned.

Maysville is one of my favourite places on earth to see it desimated is so hard to believe.



Banks and the Red Cross are all excepting donations , I made mine today at the Post Office to the Bush Fire Appeal.

I encourage everyone to do the same. Australians are great at sticking together in hard times and together we can aid all thru this.



My prayers are with all affected.

As the death toll rises , lets hope it's over soon and we can begin to rebuild and heal.

[glen]

I cannot believe the death toll has climbed so high. It currently stands at 173 dead.



[url="http://www.theage.com.au/national/blazes-across-victoria-as-bushfire-disaster-toll-rises-20090210-82ip.html"]http://www.theage.com.au/national/blazes-a...90210-82ip.html[/url]

[andy tee]

We've been following this on the news here in England. Some of the interviews with those involved were very moving. God bless 'em all.

[glen]

They are now saying the death toll could be over 300!!! Unbelievable.



[url="http://www.theage.com.au/national/fears-bushfire-death-toll-will-reach-300-20090210-82yc.html"]http://www.theage.com.au/national/fears-bu...90210-82yc.html[/url]

[Ikyoto]

My friends up in Flowerdale were right in the middle of a hot spot. They had just finished installing a new tank to supplement the one they had and a new generator to help pump water... then two days later they are on their roof keeping the fires at bay from their home and a neighbor's home. Five deaths that they know of on their street alone. Other friends got in with an extra generator and fuel to keep the water flowing. They saved at least two homes.



Now there is strong evidence that the fires were arson?!?



This was a crime not just against a group of people but the entire country of Autralia and those who have family and freinds there. I would call for the monster responsable to be made to dig every grave and plant a tree on each one, then he should die by burning himself.



Yes, I am that furious and that heartsickened. I know the people in Australia who have the means will help without being asked, but anyone outside who can, please send money to the Red Cross or check for local charities you know can be trusted to get the funds down there. There are thousands of people who no longer have ANYTHING other than what they had on their backs.

[glen]

official death toll has climbed to 181



[url="http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19190"]http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19190[/url]

[glen]

death toll now 189 <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



but on the plus side the relief work has received very good community support with over $100 million raised:



[url="http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/news_mediareleases_victorian-bushfires-assistance-160209.htm"]http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/news_mediar...ance-160209.htm[/url]

[glen]

death toll is now 210 people. hopefully that will be the end of it!

[iblis.raeb]

How's the irony of the women caught up in a petrol station fire last night during her attempts to evacuate the current Melbourne blazes, along with personal injuries her car filled with many possessions was destroyed.

[glen]

I didn't hear about that one but I am guessing this is the one you mean:



[url="http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25097109-2862,00.html"]http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,2...09-2862,00.html[/url]

[iblis.raeb]

Yeah, probably the same incident aired on network news the other night.