Mourners gather as bush fires continue to rage

AUSTRALIANS mourning the lives lost in horrific wildfires last week sought comfort at churches yesterday even as firefighters continued to battle a dozen blazes still burning in the state.

Fire engines raced past the small, 140-year-old Christ Church in Whittlesea while the Archbishop of Melbourne was leading a service, their sirens briefly drowning out a song.

More than 180 people were killed and 1,800 homes destroyed when about 400 blazes — some thought to have been deliberately set — tore across Victoria state on February 7 in Australia’s worst wildfire disaster.

Across the 3,900km sq fire zone, residents and friends gathered at church services to pray for the dead. The scene was repeated at churches across the country.

In Whittlesea, about 100km north of the state capital of Melbourne, Governor General Quentin Bryce joined about 200 people who overflowed into Christ Church’s yard for an hour-long service.

“You could feel the togetherness there,” Bryce said. “It will give people support and comfort in their grief.”

Police have arrested a man in connection with one of the fires and he will appear in court today to face charges of arson causing death, intentionally lighting a wildfire, and possessing child pornography.

His identity is being concealed by the court because of the risk of reprisal attacks against him and his family.

One other fire, which nearly destroyed the village of Marysville, is also being investigated as arson.