Sydney fires caused by people and nature
Even without the official tally it looks like the fires that started yesterday in Blue Mountains will be the most costly in terms of property since 1968. But how have they come about?
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Residents ready to flee
Pets, spare clothes, photo albums, computer equipment and important documents.
State of emergency as huge fires rage
Firefighters continue to wage a relentless battle against massive fires that threaten to engulf the entire Blue Mountains region west of Sydney as temperatures rise again into the 30s.
Firefighters battle on in NSW
Thousands of firefighters, some drafted in from other states, will continue attacking massive fronts in New South Wales in a battle that is likely to last for weeks.
Arson probe as NSW fires rage
Residents of a heritage seaside town devastated by fire on the NSW central coast have described the scene as "apocalyptic".
Six trucks at scene of Auckland blaze
The Fire Service is at the scene of big house fire on the corner of Mahia Road and Great South Road in Auckland.
Farmers warned to check for nests to avoid fires
Federated Farmers has warned farmers to check their machinery for starling nests to avoid tractor fires this summer.
Strong winds hit Auckland
Strong winds have caused significant but localised damage on Auckland's North Shore this evening.
Fatal arson 'unpredictable'
There was no way for the caregivers of a teen to have known her behaviour would escalate to setting fire to her ex-boyfriend's house, killing his mother, a Coroner has ruled.
Wanted woman starts fire
Police attempting to arrest a woman near Levin ended up trying to rescue her after she allegedly started a fire in her own home.
Investigators return to Chch house fire scene today
Fire investigators are returning to the scene of a house fire in Christchurch today.
Dog saves family from suspicious fire
A barking dog saved a family from serious injury after a suspicious blaze tore through a Lower Hutt house this morning.
Fire badly damages Blenheim food warehouse
A Blenheim food warehouse has been badly damaged in a fire overnight.
Suspected arson: Mystery hospital death
A German forensics expert has been asked to help police solve the mysterious death of a woman while being treated in hospital for burns she suffered in a suspected arson.
Fire drama in Christchurch
Four houses have been engulfed and destroyed and people are being evacuated as a large fire burns out of control south of Christchurch on Thursday, 10 January 2013.
Elderly firebug jailed for seven years
An elderly firebug has been jailed for more than seven years today after lighting a series of forest fires south of Nelson.
Young NZer dies in Aussie house fire
A popular young Aucklander has died in a house fire at his Australian home, leaving his close-knit family devastated.
Lightning may have caused small fire at Wellington Zoo
A small fire in the roof of Wellington Zoo's cafe may have been caused by a lightning strike.
House 'unliveable' after fire in Hamilton
A woman and her young nephew had a lucky escape after their home caught fire, causing severe damage to almost half the house.
Neighbour, 89, fights fire
"It was a shock", said 89-year-old Edna Harrison, but it didn't stop her walking into her neighbour's burning home to try to help him put out the blaze with a garden hose.