Australia launches hunt for arsonists

MELBOURNE, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Australian officials said Monday arsonists set some of the brush fires that turned northeastern Victoria into "hell on Earth," killing at least 173 people.

The death toll could climb to well over 200, officials said.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called the arsonists "mass murderers."

A search was on for the arsonists, officials said.

The burned-out region was described by Victoria Premier John Brumby as "hell on Earth."

Army troops were deployed in northeastern Victoria to help exhausted police in their search for more fire victims, The Australian reported.

Troops were also helping firefighters as they continued to battle blazes threatening townships in the southern Australian state. The official death toll reached 166, with officials reporting 24 fires still burning and more than 700 homes destroyed.

Brumby said a royal commission would investigate the fires, including aspects of the government's brush fire strategy, and its policy of allowing people to defend their property. He said many who died were protecting their homes.

"Tragically, we will have more deaths later this week," he told The Australian.

Rudd, after touring devastated areas of Victoria Sunday, told reporters, "What can you say? What can you say? There are no words to describe it other than mass murder."

Firefighters throughout Victoria were dealing with increased fire activity near Dederang and a new fire east of Tallangatta, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported. Officials said they believe the new fire was started by lightning and was threatening communities around Koetong, Shelley and Darbyshire.