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FACTBOX: Australia's deadliest bushfires

SYDNEY
Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:00am EST

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's deadliest bushfires swept across the southern state of Victoria on February 7 fanned by strong winds and heatwave temperatures.

Here are the latest statistics:

* Death toll confirmed 181, but may rise to 200-300 as more bodies are uncovered from the charred remains of houses.

* Australia's worst natural disaster in 110 years.

* Area burned, 450,000 ha (1.1 million acres).

* Some 20 towns burned, some razed to the ground.

* 1,033 houses destroyed.

* 5,000 homeless.

* 21 fires still burning.

* More than 4,000 firefighters battling blazes.

* About 5,000 homes without power.

(Reporting by Michael Perry; Editing by Jeremy Laurence)


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