">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Australia arrests arson suspect after deadly fires
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Australia arrests arson suspect after deadly fires
AFP - 42 minutes ago
MELBOURNE (AFP) - - Australian authorities charged a man Friday with arson causing death in connection with one of a swarm of wildfires which killed more than 181 people and destroyed hundreds of homes.
The unidentified man was arrested in a country town in Victoria, the southeastern state ravaged by the fires last weekend, and moved to state capital Melbourne for his own safety, police said.
"He was charged with arson causing death, intentionally or recklessly lighting a bush fire and possessing child pornography," police said in a statement.
He was remanded to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on February 16, and the media were ordered not to publish any material which could identify him amid public outrage that the infernos could have been maliciously lit.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of 25 years' jail and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has previously called for any arsonists proven to have lit the fires to "rot in jail."
Some survivors of the blazes which wiped out whole towns and scorched about 450,000 hectares (1.1 million acres) of land have said the culprits should be tied to horses and torn apart or doused in fuel and set alight.
Police have launched the biggest arson investigation in Australian history after revealing that at least two of the fires were deliberately lit.
A blaze that completely destroyed the town of Marysville northeast of Melbourne, killing up to 100 people, is being treated as suspicious, police have said.
The man arrested Friday is accused of lighting a fire at Churchill, east of Melbourne, on February 7 which killed some 20 people, destroyed a reported 36,000 hectares of land and continues to rage out control.
About 21 wildfires were still burning across Victoria on Friday but firefighters were taking advantage of cooler conditions to work on fire containment measures.
The destruction wrought by Australia's bush inferno came into shocking focus Friday when authorities almost doubled the number of homes destroyed to more than 1,800.
"The number has jumped from 1,069 yesterday to 1,831 properties today," Emergency Services Commissioner Bruce Esplin said.
The scale of destruction had emerged as more resources including military planes were engaged in the damage assessment and clean-up operation across a vast area of farms and eucalypt forest, he said.
Heatwave temperatures approaching 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) combined with strong winds and tinder-dry scrub to produce the firestorm on Saturday.
Authorities expect the death toll to rise beyond 200 as more charred ruins are inspected for bodies.
A new fire warning for nearby Healesville was downgraded after traumatised residents spent the night preparing to defend their homes again from flames and embers bursting out of the surrounding bush.
But they were told to remain vigilant due to a "high level of fire activity."
"People in the area need to remain alert as there may not be a warning should conditions change unexpectedly," the Country Fire Authority said.
Healesville resident Adam Menary told national radio that people in the town were anxious. "It's a pretty tough time for people," he said.
Millions of dollars were pouring into a Red Cross relief fund as newspapers continued to fill their pages with tales of survival, grief and desperation from families returning to the warped and charred remains of their homes.
Australian actor Nicole Kidman and her husband, country singer Keith Urban, pledged 500,000 Australian dollars (327,000 US) to a Red Cross relief fund through a fundraising telethon broadcast on the Nine Network overnight.
A Red Cross spokeswoman said almost 66 million dollars had been raised for the relief fund through public donations, but "many millions more" had been pledged through the telethon and corporate and government donations.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Thai PM admits migrants towed out to seaAFP - 1 hour 6 minutes ago
Indonesia to extradite pedophile suspectsAP - 1 hour 36 minutes ago
Suspect charged in deadly Australian fireAP - 1 hour 40 minutes ago
Australia arrests arson suspect after deadly firesAFP - 42 minutes ago
Report: Man charged with arson in Australia fireAP - 2 hours 17 minutes ago
Enlarge Photo
Australia arrests arson suspect after deadly fires
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Merrill bonuses made 696 millionaires: probe
British armed police swoop on cowboy party
ABB annual net profit drops to 3.1 bln dlrs
Crisis shakes steel, auto, oil sectors
Indian woman has football-sized tumour removed from jaw
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Friday, 13 February 2009 U.S. airbase in Kyrgyzstan locked up in limbo
| International
|
U.S. warns of space dodgeball after satellite crash
| International
|
Joaquin Phoenix Makes Disastrous "Letterman" Appearance
Russia NATO envoy says alliance needs Moscow's help
| International
|
Colombian ambush kills seven, 15 more wounded
| International
|
Google exits broadcast radio ad business
| Technology
|
U.S. tweaks Internet privacy guidelines
| Technology
|
Netflix passes 10 million subscriber mark
| Technology
|
Google plans data center at old Finnish paper mill
| Technology
|
Feb 12 Highlights Of Low Points In U.S. Economy
Nevada Leads U.S. Home Sales While Prices Drop To Record Low
67 Computers Missing From Los Alamos Nuclear Weapons Lab
Former New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici Subpoenaed In Attorney Firings Probe
Oil Refiners Slow Down Production To Keep Prices Of Gasoline Up
Racist 1908 Incident In Abe Lincoln's Hometown Led To Formation Of NAACP On 100th Centennial Of His Birth
Retailers Expect Weak Valentine's Day Spending
American Idol boots off Joanna Pacitti
| Entertainment
|
Michael Shannon finds Oscar nod nice, life strange
| Entertainment
|
Thirst for learning defies forced marriage in film
| Entertainment
|
Barat rules out Libertines reunion right now
| Entertainment
|
U2 gets week long gig on David Letterman show
| Entertainment
|
Just A Minute With: Doubt Oscar nominee Viola Davis
| Entertainment
|
67 Computers Missing From Los Alamos Nuclear Weapons Lab
67 Computers Missing From Los Alamos Nuclear Weapons Lab
Vatican Accepts Darwin's Theory Of Evolution Compatible With Christianity
Murder Charge For Mom Who Dropped Baby In Lake Pontchartrain
Racist 1908 Incident In Abe Lincoln's Hometown Led To Formation Of NAACP On 100th Centennial Of His Birth
Retailers Expect Weak Valentine's Day Spending
On Darwin's 200th Birthday, Less Than 40 Percent Of Americans Believe In Evolution
Australian man charged over deadly bushfires
| International
|
US envoy prepares for key Afghan talks
Pakistan says it arrests Mumbai attack plotters
| International
|
U.S., France, UK oppose suspending Bashir Darfur case
Final count leaves Israel with election headache
| International
|
Cruise-in In Daytona
Hamas agrees truce, announcement within 48 hrs: report
North Korea assembling longest-range missile: report
| International
|
Netanyahu ahead in battle for Israel's helm: observers
Dozens feared dead in US plane crash
Cuba's Fidel Castro doing well: Chilean president
| International
|
8 more Shiite pilgrims killed by Iraq bomb attack
Ex-Somali president's son set to become PM
| International
|
Family income linked to child language skills: study
U.S., France, UK oppose suspending Bashir Darfur case
| International
|
Hamas says Gaza truce deal expected in next 3 days
US scientists defend Darwin from attacks on evolution
Tibet's religious life still bruised by Lhasa riots
| International
|
Reformist candidate slams Iran's hard-line leader
US lawmakers gird for stimulus showdown
Slumdog turns spotlight on Mumbai's biggest slum
| International
|
Final count leaves Israel with election headache
Economic crisis top US security concern: intel chief
Cleaner waters attract sharks to Sydney beaches
| International
|
Moderate party holds edge in final Israeli count
Sudan dismisses Beshir ICC charge as 'rumours'
Obama hails Lincoln's legacy on bicentennial
Lincoln text urging unity sells for 3.4 mln dlrs
UK celebrates 200th Darwin anniversary
Microsoft to open own stores, take on Apple
| Technology
|
US retail sales stage surprise rebound
U.S. tweaks Internet privacy guidelines
| Technology
|
U.S. video game sales show continued strength
| Technology
|
US plane crashes into home, burst into flames
Google plans data center at old Finnish paper mill
| Technology
|
Pennsylvania County Judges Plead Guilty To Wire, Tax Frauds
Continental Plane Crashes Into New York Home, 49 Killed
YouTube renews music video deal with Sony Music: sources
| Technology
|
Obama Vows Justice For USS Cole Victims, To Transfer Bombing Mastermind To U.S. Prison
U.S. Navy In Second Seajack Bust, Arrests 9 Suspected Pirates
"Mortal Combat" videogame maker seeks bankruptcy protection
Iran nuclear arms bid unclear: US intel chief
Microsoft Seeking Worm Source, Offers $250,000 Reward To Informant
Royal watchers can track British Queen on website
| Technology
|
YouTube testing video downloads
Iridium says in dark before orbital crash
Southwest Airlines Plane Catches Fire, Makes Emergency Landing In Las Vegas
New York City Should Consider Four-Day Work Weeks, New IBO Reports Says
World economic crisis is top U.S. security threat
YouTube renews music video deal with Sony Music: sources
Sen. Judd Gregg Withdraws From Commerce Secretary Consideration
Congress sets final votes on stimulus for Friday
U.S. video game sales show continued strength
New Unemployment Claims Fall In First Week Of February
40 job cuts as Google exits broadcast radio ad business
Wall Street Pares Losses On Home Loan News
More Americans updating status online: Pew
Freed Ukrainian cargo crew back on land
Online retail spending falls in 4th qtr: comScore
Italy's right-to-die woman buried in native village
Microsoft offers reward to catch worm maker
Britain refuses entry to far-right Dutch MP
NASA scoops up Twitter award for Mars 'tweets'
Russia wants 'fully fledged' ties with NATO: Medvedev
Cuba gets its own twist on Linux
YouTube renews music video deal with Sony Music: sources
Facebook, Nokia look to bring social network to mobiles
Dreamgirl Hudson dominates NAACP Image awards
| Entertainment
|
Madonna the top-earning musician of 2008
| Entertainment
|
Friday the 13th looks to top long weekend
| Entertainment
|
Eminem's Bottle breaks download record
| Entertainment
|
Short movies make big Oscar splash
| Entertainment
|
Indonesia to extradite pedophile suspects
Da Vinci Code author sees secret revealed
| Entertainment
|
Suspect charged in deadly Australian fire
Andre Rieu, king of waltz, fiddles his way to stardom
| Entertainment
|
Australia arrests arson suspect after deadly fires
Hollywood eyes more play dates with toy industry
| Entertainment
|
Report: Man charged with arson in Australia fire
Slumdog turns spotlight on Mumbai's biggest slum
| Entertainment
|
North Korea reportedly assembling longest-range missile
Chinese police arrest 17 in drug trafficking bust
More civilians flee war zone as Sri Lanka snubs Britain
Army creates new 'safe zone' in Sri Lankan war
Call for calm as Australia hit by more shark attacks
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Surfer injured in second Sydney shark attack
Cigarettes still burning holes in Austrian ban
Protectionism 'absolute evil', says Japanese minister
Serbia's Roma fight poverty with education
Seoul shares end up 1 pct; techs, autos rise
"Dreamgirl" Hudson dominates NAACP Image awards
Dell awards technology education grants in India, Brazil and Mexico
Estelle Bennett, member of The Ronettes, dies
New Zealand house, retail sales slow
Short movies make big Oscar splash
Telecom 1st half profit down 60 pct
Andre Rieu, "king of waltz," fiddles his way to stardom
Taiwan dollar barely changed, mkt wary over c.bank
Spain's Adria unveils food of tomorrow
Nissan reviewing alliance plans with Chrysler
Dada and surrealist masterpieces make US stop
"Friday the 13th" looks to top long weekend
Korea Hot Stocks
1 worker's struggle for a factory job in China
Powerful earthquake hits Indonesia, 42 injured
Seoul shares open flat; Hana falls after results
Female bomber kills 32 on Iraqi pilgrimage route
| International
|
Obama's dream of bipartisanship takes hit
U.S. offers Moscow concession on missile shield
| International
|
Iraq suicide bomber kills dozens of Shiite pilgrims
Eurozone recession 'deepens with record GDP drop'
Female bomber kills 32 on Iraqi pilgrimage route
Algeria twin bombings kill seven: APS news agency
| International
|
Jennifer Hudson Wins Three Gongs At The NAACP Image Awards
Turkish army reportedly kills 13 rebels in north Iraq
Russia says deal near on UN monitors in Georgia
| International
|
Britney Spears' Paparazzo Ex-Lover Adnan Ghalib Under Investigation For Trying To Run Over A Man With His Car
India welcomes Pakistan probe, wants terror camps shut
| International
|
Hu launches China's largest gift to West Africa
| International
|
Tibet's religious life still bruised by Lhasa riots
| International
|
Telecom industry faces moment of truth
| Technology
|
Kenya, Turkey, Japan lead mobile money trend
| Technology
|
Nokia, others target mobile software sales
| Technology
|
Nokia, others target mobile software sales
Telecom industry faces moment of truth
Nokia extends "Comes with Music" phone lineup
Chicago Condo Developers Auction Units To Reduce Inventory
Los Angeles Eyes New Gun Control Law
One Of Nation's Largest Magazine Distributors Closes Doors, Lays Off Undisclosed Number Of Employees
Nokia, others rush for mobile software sales
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Warns Of Up To 25 Percent Fare Hike
Nokia extends "Comes with Music" phone lineup
Public Utility TVA Slashes Electric Rates For 9 Million Customers, Also Suspends Executive Bonuses
President Offers Condolences To Victims Of Continental Plane Crash
Pelosi, Reid Formally Invite Obama To Speak Before Feb. 24 Joint Session
Housing Crisis Resulting In 1 Vacant House For Every 9 In The U.S
Bush To Give First Post-White House Speech In Canada
Intelligence Chief Identifies Global Economic Crisis As Top Threat To U.S.
Pakistan presses India over Mumbai investigation
Duds outweigh discoveries at Berlin film festival
| Entertainment
|
Myanmar extends detention of opposition leader
India welcomes Pakistan prob
Thai PM: Myanmar migrants were sent back to sea
Australia debates controlled burns
Report: 2 sentenced to death in India drain murder
Suspect charged in deadly Australian fire
Japan, Sweden hold bailout lessons for US
Dung is key to tracking elusive Cambodian tiger
Nissan, Chrysler 'put joint projects on hold'
Malaysian government faces critical by-elections
Pakistan says economic problems easing
Pakistani stocks rise 4.2 pct on accounting waiver
Love among the stars: Celebs share Valentine plans
Japan, Sweden hold bailout lessons for US
Duds outweigh discoveries at Berlin film festival
Scorsese plans film on early Japanese Christians
Pakistan economic problems easing, says PM adviser
HK stock index climbs over 2 percent
Japan economy seen shrinking at 10 pct pace in 4Q
Air France reports heavy loss, reduces staff
G7 finance chiefs meet in Rome amid recession storm
Former rebel gunned down in Indonesia's Aceh
Octuplets' Doctor Has Another Patient In Her 40s Expecting Quadruplets
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights