Arson Suspected in Australia Wildfires

Feb. 9, 2009— -- Despite cooler temperatures and calmer winds, raging wildfires and rampant fear continue to spread across southeast Australia. Over the weekend, entire communities were wiped out, as part of the worst fires in the country's history.

At least 173 people have been killed in Australia's worst natural disaster in a century -- the result of scorching temperatures and furious winds. 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.

"All of our best friends are dead, you know, and their kids are dead. I played golf with a 12-year-old kid on Saturday and he's not here anymore, you know. It's just devastating," said one Whittlesea resident.

Whipped by 60 mile-an-hour winds, the fire moved so fast it obliterated the towns of King Lake, Marysville, and Strathewen. The fortunate who survived barely had seconds to improvise an escape.

"There was no time, my husband backed the car out and by the time we got to the gate there was just a massive fireball up and down our street," said one Whittlesea woman.

Winds were not only fast but erratic. People told ABC News they thought the fire had gone by them, but then the wind changed direction.

As the flames raced across the Australian countryside, witnesses described tornadoes of fire. "You could hear it exploding -- flames 60, 70 feet high," one witness said. "I've never, never seen anything like it."

In the blinding smoke and panic, cars collided. In one vehicle, authorities found the remains of a family of six. Another woman called a radio station for help when she found herself trapped with her eight children.

"We're surrounded completely by fire and we're just waiting for it to hit. We really need help right now," she said on national radio.

Her brother was able to get through to her on his tractor and they all escaped.

Those not so fortunate found escape routes blocked and roads choked with smoke that caused multi-car pileups, leaving burned out hulks of cars containing the remains of fleeing residents.

The death toll has already exceeded all previous natural disasters. Officials expect the death toll to rise as teams search the remains of some 750 homes, hundreds of cars and entire towns.