Fourteen bushfires burning across southern Australia have killed two people, thousands of animals, and destroyed 16 homes, and authorities on Thursday said they feared the toll could rise.
 
 
The fires, which stretch across 210 kms (130 miles), broke out on Wednesday in heatwave conditions and quickly burnt across farmlands, forcing residents to flee and others to frantically try and save their homes and livestock.
 
 
"It was just the intensity of the fire and the speed. We tried to put it out. You just couldn't put it out," farmer John Lush told Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
 
 
"We've got a big machinery shed...and the (roof) gutters of that are 25 feet (eight metres) off the ground and the flames were coming over the top of that shed, so it was just horrific," said Lush.
 
 
A 56-year-old woman and a 69-year-old man died in separate fires. Thirteen people are being treated in hospital and three people are missing, said South Australia State Premier Jay Weatherill.
 
 
"Five of those are either a in critical or serious condition with significant burns. We know that one of those persons has burns to more than 80 percent on their body," said Weatherill.
 
 
"We hold grave fears for many more (and) can't be entirely sure we have identified every single person in the fire ground," he said.