640 houses have been destroyed in Australia’s deadly wildfires and that tally will rise, Hayden Lane of the Victoria Country Fire Service said Sunday.
550 of the houses confirmed as destroyed in Saturday’s fires are in the area of Kinglake, north of the main southern city of Melbourne. The others were in nearby areas.
Police say at least 35 people have died in the blazes, and they expect the death toll is likely to rise further.
High temperatures and strong winds created furnace-like conditions across southern Victoria state on Saturday, though conditions eased Sunday.
In a statement released today (Sunday), the Rabbinical Council of Victoria expresses its sorrow and dismay at “the massive destruction of life and property brought about by the firestorm which has engulfed much of our State.”
The council’s President Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant wrote: “We call on all Congregations to recite prayers that this devastation be brought to a speedy end and that those in danger be delivered home in health and safety.
“We express our deep gratitude and admiration for those who have gone well beyond the call of duty, exposing themselves to danger, to fight the fires and bravely face the elements in seeking to bring them under control.
“Our appreciation extends to those who man the various agencies whose role it is to assist and safeguard the many communities, individuals and families who are under threat and facilitate shelter and support to those who have been left homeless.”
Yeshivah & Beth Rivkah are running a food drive for the survivors.
PS. to the best of my knowledge, Gesher house never belonged to Beth Rivkah, it belonged to the Melbourne Jewish community, all the Jewish Schools used it.
were there any?
hashem yerachem alenu, this is so sad
we are up to 131. A pesach resort has been destroyed by fire and so has Beth Rivkah’s retreat Gesher house. The Jewish community has opened their hearts (and wallets) to for those devestated
the deaths have risen to 131
it’s not over 128 something like 140
Death toll now at 130.
To #5: The whole world is reporting this. We have received calls from everywhere. PM Rudd was here, Julia Gillard just spoke about a “national day of mourning.” Are you being sarcastic? How could you NOT have heard about this?
it has climbed to 128 with fears that it could double as fire crews finally get acssess to the desamanted areas..
115 ppl dead a couple hundred injured some so injured that there gonna die :(!
how long is it going to continue for?!?!?!
the number has climbed to 96!
SO SAD
i live in australia and i havnt heard of it!
i wonder why/!?
i wonder if this happeed near my home!?
hashem yirachaim
the number dead is 84..and climbing!
one of the places where chabad of rara makes a seder is destryoed not just the building the whole town..!
now there is 66 dead and they say more to come