Melbourne: A 39-year-old Churchill man has been arrested and accused of starting the deadly wildfires in Australia, which have killed at least 181 people.
The man has been charged with arson causing deaths and if convicted he could face a jail term of 25 years. He has also been charged of intentionally lighting a wildfire, and of possessing child pornography.
Forensic experts fear many bodies may never be found since nothing except ash was left behind due to the intense heat of the fire.
Police have put the man in protective custody and not disclosed his identity as survivors expressed fury that anyone could set such a blaze.
Officials also say that the property toll is nearly double their initial estimate. They say more than 1,800 homes have been destroyed in the February 7 wildfires.
While weather conditions have turned favourable, firefighters are still struggling to contain about a dozen wildfires.
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