Women killed in Australian wildfire

Two women were killed as a massive wildfire swept through Western Australia, destroying thousands of acres of farmland.

They burned to death after leaving their car near the town of Tenterden yesterday. Their bodies were found just 60ft from a dam full of water while a dog which they left in the car survived the inferno, police Superintendent John Watson said.

“They became confused and disoriented because of the heat and thick smoke of the fire,” said Watson. “It was a terrible, tragic event.”

Police had not yet confirmed the identities of the dead women using dental records but is believed they are farmers aged 59 and 46.

Police were forced to evacuate all 150 residents and visitors to the town yesterday as the fire, fanned by strong winds and hot summer temperatures, closed in.

At least five other people were injured fighting the blaze which destroyed the town hall and five houses, Fire and Emergency Services Authority spokeswoman Nita Gill said. Tenterden is 190 miles south east of Perth.

Local authorities estimated it also killed around 3,000 sheep and destroyed 50,000 acres of pastoral, farming and national park land.

“It’s been pretty devastating for Tenterden,” said Gill.

Cooler temperatures and easing winds today helped firefighters, who fought through the night, to control the blaze.

Of the injured, just one man remained in hospital in a stable condition with burns to 10% of his body, Gill said.