At least 170 people have died in the worst wildfires ever to strike Australia. Suspicions of arson have led police to declare crime scenes in towns incinerated by blazes.

Wildfire in Australia

Officials believe arson may be behind at least some of the more than 400 fires that tore through southern Victoria state over the weekend.

Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, reflected national disgust at the idea during a television interview in which he was visibly upset.

Kevin Rudd said, "What do you say about anyone like that? What do you say? I don't know. There's no words to describe it other than it's mass murder."

In Canberra, Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, was choked up with emotion.

Julia Gillard said, "The seventh of February 2009 will now be remembered as one of the darkest days in Australia's peacetime history."

Police have sealed off at least two towns, where dozens of deaths occurred, setting up roadside checkpoints and controlling access to the area.

Anyone found guilty of lighting a wildfire that causes death faces 25 years in prison in Victoria.

At least 750 homes have been destroyed in the fires that in some cases razed small towns.

Officials say both the tolls of human life and property would almost certainly rise.

More than a dozen fires have yet to be contained while gusting winds threaten to fan them toward towns not previously hit.

Meanwhile, forecasters say temperatures may rise again later in the week.

(CCTV February 10, 2009)