Australian firefighter dies as fires continue

AUSTRALIA: A firefighter helping battle Australia's worst ever wildfire disaster has died after a tree collapsed on the tanker he was driving, officials said Tuesday.

The man was killed just 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the town of Marysville, which was razed by fires that swept through the southern state of Victoria last week.

Police in Victoria said he died when the tanker he was driving was hit by a falling tree, without giving further details. "A large tree appears to have crashed onto one of our fire tankers at Cambarville, resulting in an ACT Fire Brigade firefighter confirmed dead," Australian Capital Territories Emergency Service Agency commissioner Greg Manson told reporters.

"Fortunately, no other firefighters were injured."

The firefighter, who has not been named, is the first emergency worker to die in the bushfire disaster that has so far claimed at least 200 lives and has destroyed more than 1,800 homes.

Thousands of firefighters continue to battle six remaining blazes in Victoria state.

A commission of inquiry into the fires has been charged with providing an interim report by August 17.

A Red Cross disaster relief fund has topped 100 million Australian dollars (65 million US dollars), with US pop singer Pink donating 250,000 dollars, joining other musicians such as Leonard Cohen who have also contributed.

Melbourne, Thursday, AFP