'A tsunami of fire': Australia reels from Black Saturday

GUERNSEY expats in Australia have been talking of the horror of Black Saturday.

The worst wildfires in the country's history have swept through south-eastern Australia leaving a trail of destruction.

Whole towns have been wiped out and fires have claimed at least 173 lives.

Former Guernsey resident Jo Banks moved to Australia 10 years ago.

She flew back into Melbourne from Hobart at noon on Saturday.

'It was like entering hell. There was bushfire smoke and dust in a thick haze over the city.'

She said the searing heat - temperatures were 47C/117F - when they got off the plane had been unbearable.

'It sucked all the moisture out of you. It's a terrible time and the country is in a state of shock at the loss of life, severe injury and total devastation of many rural towns,' she said.

Like many people in the city they took refuge in front of fans and coolers but knew that only 60km away people had nowhere to shelter.

The death toll could be closer to 230 following what has been called Black Saturday.

This would be three times the number of lives lost in the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983 and the Black Friday fires of 1939.

According to the Country Fire Authority, five towns were still considered under an 'urgent threat' and a further 13 with an alert.

Eleven major fires were still burning, eight of those out of control.

Some of the areas severely affected are Kinglake West and Marysville and Churchill, north of Melbourne.

Colin and Dolores Blatchford live in Western Australia and have had a few bushfires so far this year but with nothing as catastrophic.

'A few bush towns have been completely wiped out. The situation is grim, but people are resilient.'

So far the public has raised AUS$10m. (£4.6m.) and the Prime Minister has also pledged AUS$1m.

'It seems a lot were killed in their cars trying to get away.'

A fire which lasted two days broke out on Saturday, 15km from where Victoria Le Prevost lives on the central coast of New South Wales.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested for starting two fires in the area.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said any fires started deliberately constituted 'mass murder' and, if caught, people would be prosecuted.

'The stories on television are horrendous. We are absolutely hypnotised by the scenes and stories from the many tales of heroism and bravery, not least by the firemen and women who are true heroes,' she said.

Firefighters fought to save the residents of one town in Victoria surrounded by flames.

All residents went to the football oval where firemen made a circle around them to keep the flames at bay.

She said everyone was praying for rain. 'I have seen gum trees explode in front of my eyes in a fire storm.'

Reports of storms 'roaring like a tsunami of fire' and moving at 25 kms per hour are hampering rescue efforts.

• Thanks to all the expats who responded to our email request for information

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