WITH terrifying memories of Australia’s deadliest wildfires still fresh, residents chose to flee rather than protect their homes yesterday when new blazes broke containment lines and threatened the fringes of the country’s second-largest city.

Australia's prime minister described arsonists suspected of starting devastating wildfires as mass murderers as the death toll mounted today.

Heavy smoke from bush fires blanketed Australia’s capital today amid fears that ash from the blazes could pollute the city’s water supply.