The Latest Breaking News from Victoria

After a weekend of extreme heat and windy conditions, more than 30 blazes were still burning in Victoria and New South Wales as of Sunday evening, including major fires in the Otways, near the town of Alexandra in central Victoria, and on the NSW-Victoria border near Corryong.

Questions about a state's emergency services preparedness have been slapped down by a premier, as the identity of the first victim of ongoing fires is revealed.

The Harcourt Cooperative Cool Stores kept priceless stock for local businesses – but it was also the focal point for friendships in ‘a passionate industry’

Advocates say even they are surprised by Allan government’s embrace of higher density housing, but warn construction costs risk city becoming ‘victim of its success’

Almost a dozen emergency warnings remain in place across Victoria, with state premier saying ‘we are not through the worst of this by a long way’

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Dozens of properties including some owned by firefighters and local councillors destroyed in fire that ripped through Victorian town

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As bushfires rage in Victoria, other parts of Australia's southeast are sweltering amid extreme heat ahead of an expected cooler change.

Dozens of properties have been destroyed at multiple fire scenes as fire-fighters described confronting scenes of danger and destruction.

On a day of exhaustion and heartache, more than 700 Victorian firefighters battled 40 blazes as temperatures soared as high as 46C