Towering flames razed entire towns in southeastern Australia and burned fleeing residents in their cars as the death toll rose to 84 on Sunday, making it the country’s deadliest fire disaster.

At least 700 homes were destroyed in Saturday’s inferno when searing temperatures and wind blasts produced a firestorm that swept across a swath of the country’s Victoria state, where all the deaths occurred.

550 of the houses confirmed as destroyed in Saturday’s fires are in the area of Kinglake, north of the main southern city of Melbourne. The others were in nearby areas.

“Hell in all its fury has visited the good people of Victoria,” Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told reporters as he toured the fire zone on Sunday. “It’s an appalling tragedy for the nation.”

Thousands of exhausted volunteer firefighters were still battling about 30 uncontrolled fires Sunday night in Victoria, officials said, though conditions had eased considerably. It would be days before they were brought under control, even if temperatures stayed down, they said.

Government officials said the army would be deployed to help out, and Rudd announced immediate emergency aid of 10 million Australian dollars ($7 million).

In a statement released today (Sunday), the Rabbinical Council of Victoria expresses its sorrow and dismay at “the massive destruction of life and property brought about by the firestorm which has engulfed much of our State.”

The council’s President Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant wrote: “We call on all Congregations to recite prayers that this devastation be brought to a speedy end and that those in danger be delivered home in health and safety.

“We express our deep gratitude and admiration for those who have gone well beyond the call of duty, exposing themselves to danger, to fight the fires and bravely face the elements in seeking to bring them under control.

“Our appreciation extends to those who man the various agencies whose role it is to assist and safeguard the many communities, individuals and families who are under threat and facilitate shelter and support to those who have been left homeless.”

(Dov Gordon – YWN / Associated Press)