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Fires rage across southern Australia

9 February 2014 Last updated at 10:41 GMT

The Emergency Services in Southern Australia are battling wildfires which are threatening lives and homes.

Hundreds of firefighters have been deployed in the state of Victoria, which is facing some of the worst conditions in five years.

In Melbourne fast moving fires are being stoked by high winds and soaring summer temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius. The fires have also spread into neighbouring New South Wales.

Phil Mercer reports.