Death toll approaching 200, almost 1,000 homes destroyed

Firefighters are battling 25 bushfires across Victoria, with Premier John Brumby saying he expects the death toll from the disaster to exceed 200 people.
The official toll stands at 173 dead with more than 50 people still missing, thought to be dead, making it the country's worst bushfire disaster.
The blazes have burnt through more than 3,000 square kilometres - entire towns were wiped off the map within 24 hours at the weekend.
Death toll approaching 200, almost 1,000 homes destroyed