Australia arrests arsonist

Police in Australia charge a man with two accounts of arson over one of the country's deadly wildfires.

Australia's deadly fires have killed at least 181 people.

As fire-fighters battle the flames, police say they have arrested a suspected arsonist and have charged him with 'arson causing death'.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) ASSISTANT POLICE COMMISSIONER DANNYE MALONEY SAYING:

"Let Victoria police do its role. We have identified this person, we are prosecuting this person on behalf of the community. If we left a person there, it would only be a situation where people may go to where they believe him to be held."

The man who has also been charged with with 'intentionally or recklessly' starting a fire has not been named.

Local media reports said he had been sent from Victoria to Melbourne for his own safety.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) VICTORIA POLICE COMMISSIONER CHRISTINE NIXON SAYING:

"There is enough emotion, there is enough harm in our community at the moment, we all understand that and we don't need that any more. And we just need to be able to work together to allow the police to do their job."

The suspect has been charged with starting one of the six fires that police are investigating.

Around 20 more fires continue to burn in the southeast of the country, some are still out of control.

The disaster area has been declared a crime zone with police launching the biggest arson investigation 'Operation Phoenix'.

At least 7000 people have been made homeless and authorities have said the death toll could rise to 300 as more bodies are discovered in charred homes.

If the suspect is found guilty he could face around 40 years in prison.

Basmah Fahim, Reuters.