Australian bush fires: fears death toll from 'Black Saturday' could rise to 300

The toll from the Australian bushfires could rise as high as 300 as the full horror of the infernos that swept through Victoria on 'Black Saturday' becomes clear.

Authorities have warned the country to brace for more bad news and the discovery of more dead bodies as rescue teams move in to more fire-ravaged towns. The toll currently stands at 173.

Police have set up a special squad to investigate the fires and said they are closing in on the arsonists suspected of lighting several of the deadly fires.

News of the mounting number of dead comes as some residents from the badly-hit Kinglake area were finally allowed back up the mountain to see what remained of their homes and communities. Police and fire service workers have begun to escort convoys of locals from Whittlesea to Kinglake. Water and food was also trucked up the hill to aid the scores of people who had remained in the town as the fires raged through. Residents, who have not had access to television since they evacuated on Saturday will see the blackened hills, incinerated homes and burned out cars for the first time. Many have lost friends or relatives to the chaos and heat.

The fourth day after the infernos also brought more stories of loss and miraculous survival. One woman told of her neighbour who had lost both her daughters and another two people who had perished while sheltering in a storm drain.