PHOTO: `Mass Murderers Set Australia Afire`

The biggest fire in the history of Australia has so far killed 171 persons, while experts believe this is not final.

Experts warn it is highly likely that the number of killed persons in wildlife fires which are raging in South Australia will increase. According to latest figures, so far 171 persons were killed, BBC and CNN write.

Police suspect arsonists

Due to a large number of isolated fires which have appeared in the past days, the federal police are convinced certain fires were planted.

- What do you say about anyone like that? There's no words to describe it, other than it's mass murder - said Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

The fires have been raging in the South East of the country since Saturday. Aided by exceptionally high temperatures, unremembered droughts and powerful winds, the fires have consumed some 200,000 acres of land.

The fire has so far spared larger urban areas, but smaller towns have not had the same luck. The flames have taken several rural towns, including Maryville, which the police suspects that it went up in flames of a planted fire.

Flame consumes entire cities

The largest number of casualties was recorded North West of Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, where fire was out of control. According to eyewitnesses and survivors, the sky was covered by a thick cloud of ash, secluding the Sun.

Entire communities went missing as if they were erased from the face of the Earth. People described the fire as literally a fireball which consumed everything on its way, John Brumby said, PM of Victoria.

Australian prime minister issued out a warrant on Sunday for the mobilisation of the army, which will help fire-fighters.

Previously the most tragic fire hit Australia in 1983 when 75 people lost their lives, while over 3,000 homes were completely destroyed in Victoria and South Australia.

You can see the wildfires of Australia in the attached photo gallery: Mass Murderers Set Australia Afire.