Most of the weekend blazes had been contained by Monday and there have been no reports of serious injury, officials said. The worst-hit town was Tathra on the south coast of New South Wales state where more than 70 homes and businesses had been severely damaged or destroyed by a fire that started in woods around midday on Sunday, Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said. More than 70 homes and businesses had been severely damaged or destroyed by the fire (AAP/AP)In neighbouring Victoria state, up to 18 homes had been destroyed over the weekend by three fires and 40,000 homes lost power, Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley said.

Source: Irish Independent March 19, 2018 04:07 UTC