Ocker, Figure now 50 & also saw where someone mentioned 5 more deceased in Marysville which don't seem to be included in official figure. With so many burnt out houses to check it could take well over a week to detemine how many lifes have been lost. Whilst little comment on how lifes have been lost, it seems likely many of these deaths were associated with trying to escape in cars in driving conditions that must have been impossible. In Victoria, the decision to stay & fight or leave, is left to individual property owners unlike some other states. It appears many have elected to stay & when the fires came with such fury they have rethought & tried to make a run for it, in impossible conditions i.e. no visiblity, fallen trees, power poles, other smashed up cars littering their pathway to a safe refuge. Survivors of previous fires in these areas, have described this fire as like nothing else they had ever encountered, so probably explains why so many left it to a point where fleeing became impossible. Hope NSW is spared the tragic that has struck Victoria. Many living people in Victoria must just be so empty emotionally at the moment. Volunteers involved in the fight against these fires have done a fanastic job. Recently saw part of a CFA competition day & realized how organized & committed these volunteers were, but nothing could prepare them for what happened last night. Thoughts with all who have suffered or lost family & relatives, possessions, family pets & livestock. Buffett
