Families Perish in Victorian Fires

128 people are confirmed dead with the death toll expected to rise, as emergency services in Victoria continue to battle blazes across the state. The fires started on Saturday, following a lethal combination of record high temperatures and 100 kph winds. Most are believed to have been deliberately lit.

In Kinglake, one of the worst hit towns, at least 35 have perished, including children. Popular newsreader Brian Naylor and his wife Moiree were among the deceased.

Mothers have been left without supplies for their babies and volunteers have been busy handing out nappies, wipes and clothes to families with literally no possessions left. 500 homes were destroyed in Kinglake alone, while the nearby town of Marysville was completely destroyed.

Harrowing stories continue to emerge from the disaster zone.

In this incredible live recording from radio station 3AW, a woman with eight children trapped by encircling bushfires pleads for help then describes a rescue attempt by her brother driving a tractor through through the inferno.

At least two schools have been razed to the ground and 73 will be closed tomorrow, for safety reasons.

People wanting to help victims of the bushfires have been advised to:

- Donate blood to the Red Cross for use on burns victims

- Donate money to the Salvation Army or Red Cross

- Donate clothes and household items to the Salvation Army

For up-to-date information about the bushfires, visit:

- ABC Melbourne

- Google Live Bushfires Map (updated with data from the Country Fire Authority)