SA Premier Jay Weatherill has concluded a devastating press conference about the current major bushfires happening in the northern areas of South Australia.
The bushfire, which started in Pinery around midday, has so far claimed the lives of two people and injured nine. There is also an unconfirmed report of a third fatality.
According to reports, three of those injured were CFS members who were fighting the blaze; they have been taken to hospital with severe burns. 26 homes have also been lost in the fire.
RT@AngeDonnellan:Pinery fire heading towards Mallala.Conditions are atrocious Windalmost blew meover@abcnewsAdelaide pic.twitter.com/dXR2Clph01
— Country Fire Service (@CFSAlerts) November 25, 2015
Weatherill: I can confirm two deaths so far, with unconfirmed reports of a third. #SAfires pic.twitter.com/BV75jLYklP
— ABC News 24 (@ABCNews24) November 25, 2015
According to the CFS, the blaze has burned through 85,000 hectares of land.
Interstate crews are on their way to assist, and Weatherill says that “the next 6 – 12 hours will be critical”.
We will update this story as more details emerge. Our thoughts are with South Australia at this tragic time.
UPDATE 26/11, 3:05pm: Premier Jay Weatherill has confirmed that as well as the two lives lost, thirteen people are injured and in hospital, and five of those are in critical condition. One person is reported to have burns to 80% of their body.
At least sixteen homes have been lost in the fire, as well as thousands of lives of cattle and livestock. A piggery in Wasleys has been lost, with over 2000 sows perishing.
According to The Advertiser, Editor-in-Chief of Australian Women’s Weekly, Helen McCabe, also lost her farm in Pinery.
South Australia Fires: 2 dead. 13 in hospital 5 critical. Thousands of animals dead https://t.co/LF0lXbTOHR #SAfires https://t.co/n4ALuYVfEm
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) November 26, 2015
via ABC / Twitter.
Image: Tony Hill via ABC.
