Christmas Day bushfire destroys 100 homes in popular tourist spot of Lorne in Victoria

A Christmas Day bushfire has destroyed more than 100 homes in the popular tourist spot of Lorne in Australia's Victoria state. A total of 98 homes had been razed in Wye River and 18 at Separation Creek but, there is no report of any injuries. Firefighters have been battling the blaze along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria's south-west, popular with holidaymakers.
The fire had started with a lightning strike on 19 December and, fanned by strong winds and intense heat in recent days, has already burned across 2,200 hectares (5,437 acres).
This has been reported in bbc.com dated 26 December 2015.

Due to cooler weather and rains, the threat has reduced considerably but some emergency warnings continue to remain in place as some 1,600 residents and tourists from the popular tourist spot of Lorne have been moved out because of fears that a wind change would push the fire towards the town. However, later, they were allowed to return. Many of those who were forced to leave their homes had to spend Christmas night in alternate, hastily-arranged shelters.
It seems more than 500 firefighters, 60 tankers and 18 aircraft have been pressed into service to battle the blaze and fight the flames. Victoria Emergency Management Commissioner has indicated that although the immediate threat had receded, the fire had the "potential to burn" for weeks to come.
As a result of the fires, the Falls Music and Arts Festival, held annually near Lorne, may not go ahead.

(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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