Australia Strikes Again With Another Bushfire

Australia is experiencing a devastating start to the New Year, as two youths were seen by witnesses throwing petrol soaked rags into a roadside haystack causing a bushfire that might consume the whole town of Wilberton.

12:00PM, it has been confirmed that a major bushfire has just occurred in the outskirts of Wilberton. Wilberton is located 39km north of Ballarat with a population of 1,300.

Three Country Fire Authority rushed to the scene of the incident followed by four from neighbouring centres. Casualties include, four farm sheds and several kilometres of fencing that threatened five houses consisting of a 102-year-old historic farmhouse.

An estimated count of 58 residents helped diminish the fire, which includes local farmers and volunteers as well as the local police department. It lasted for an hour or two, and thankfully the fire was contained by 5:00PM local time.

It is reported that late tonight, two County Fire Authority crews and other volunteers were keeping a close watch on the fire that was still burning in some inaccessible timber.

Sergeant Phil Jones of Wilberton Police said that they are searching for suspects who were last seen driving a 1995 red Falcon station wagon on the highway south of Wilberton.

A local hero by the name of Constable Eric Smythe, 23, was said to pull two terrified horses to safety as he broke into burning stables located in Wilberton Park. Smythe suffered minor burns to the arms and face and was treated at the local bush hospital before returning to duty. He later then was awarded with a bravery award.

"It was an outstanding act of bravery. He could have lost his life," said Sergeant Jones.