Amman, Jan 10 (Petra) - Australian authorities on Saturday declared a state of "disaster" in the southeast of the country after bushfires swept through homes and vast areas of forest.

According to Reuters, an intense heatwave hit the state of Victoria, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, while scorching winds helped create conditions conducive to the spread of bushfires, similar to those seen during the "Black Summer" in late 2019 in the same region.

The fires consumed nearly 150,000 hectares near Longwood, about 150 kilometers north of Melbourne, an area covered by pristine forests.

Initial reports said the fires destroyed at least 20 homes in the small town of Ruffy, not far from Longwood, while three people, including a child, were reported missing. Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan granted firefighters powers to carry out emergency evacuations.

//Petra// AF