Bushfires burn out of control in South Australia

TWO people have died in the horror bushfire that engulfed parts of South Australia.

Premier Jay Weatherill confirmed the deaths this evening.

One person was found dead in a paddock in Pinery, north of Adelaide.

Another person is believed to have died in a car accident at Hamley Bridge.

Mr Weatherill said there was a third unconfirmed death after a car hit a tree near Freeling.

He told media at a press conference that it was “the worst of news” to learn that two, possibly three people, had perished in the fires.

“Our priority is to make sure that list does not grow,” he said. “Our thoughts turn to those affected, those who will be working through the night to help contain this blaze.”

At least two firefighters were seriously injured with burns and nine other people were hurt in the Mid North blaze as it raced through tinder-dry grass, crops and bush,Adelaide Now reported.

There are also fears those who fled the fires late may not have been able get through.

A special missing persons register was established by the Federal Government and Australian Red Cross.

Two relief centres have also been set up for anyone affected by the bushfire in the state’s north.

The centres, at the Balaklava racecourse and the Gawler recreation and sports centre, are expected to operate throughout the night.

The SA Premier urged the public to stay alert and follow the advice of authorities “because this is still a very dangerous fire”.

It is not known how many homes have been affected but it is understood a number of house have been destroyed.

CFS Chief Officer Greg Nettleton said brigades had received nearly 70 emergency calls across the state and there had also been smaller fires at Lameroo and Hill River.

“This thing is going to go for some time, this is a particularly nasty fire. It’s had some pretty atrocious winds pushing it through the day. It’s going to be a long haul for many of our crews,” he said.

“We’ve got a fire, a particularly dangerous and very fast moving fire, that’s impacted on a number of communities in the Mid North and Barossa.

“That fire has travelled something like 50km in the space of about four hours, so it has been travelling at something like 12-12.5km/h, which is quite fast.’’

Mr Nettleton said the fire, burning on a north-south front measuring 41km, had been moving to the northeast, and emergency warnings had been issued for communities including Kapunda, Eudunda, Marrabel and Dutton.

Two water bombers from New South Wales were used to attack the fire from the air during the day while Victoria will send 200 firefighters and 50 trucks to help out.

Firefighters are expected to continue fighting the fire throughout the night.