Vic: 16 houses confirmed destroyed in Victorian infernos

AAP General News (Australia)
12-15-2006
Vic: 16 houses confirmed destroyed in Victorian infernos

Sixteen houses have been confirmed destroyed in the fires in Victoria's east last night.

The largest loss was at Mt Ligar near Cowwarr Weir in Gippsland .. where seven houses
were destroyed by a fire which was deliberately lit earlier in the day.

Four houses were razed at the A1 Mine Settlement and five at nearby Gaffney's Creek
.. in the state's north-east.

The Department of Sustainability and Environment says last night's devastation brings
the total number of property losses .. since the fires began almost two weeks ago .. to
21.

And a 48-year-old man has died near Heyfield .. when he fell from the back of a moving
trailer and was run over by a truck travelling behind him.

He was battling a blaze believed to have been deliberately lit earlier .. and police
are hunting two men seen in the area at the time.

The bushfire was lit near Coopers Creek in Gippsland yesterday morning and spread rapidly
through bush.

The Country Fire Authority's GRAHAM FOUNTAIN says it's a cowardly act to light a bushfire
which impacts on people's lives and property.

He's told the Nine Network yesterday was the worst day since the bushfires began.

Mr FOUNTAIN says firefighters will take advantage of today's milder conditions .. and
there's a window of opportunity until early next week .. with milder weather conditions
across the fire areas.

AAP RTV ce/cp/wf

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC (MELBOURNE)

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