Australia battles 'catastrophic' bushfires

A vast area of Australia's east coast - including parts of the Sydney suburbs - is facing one of the nation's worst-ever bushfire threats.

More than 85 fires are burning across the state of New South Wales (NSW), 46 of which are not contained.

Authorities had predicted "catastrophic" conditions for Tuesday, amid fears a southerly wind could cause the flames to change direction.

About six million people live in the region.

Crews are battling a front spanning 1,000km (620 miles) along the north coast of NSW, with several blazes "exceeding 100,000 hectares alone", officials said.

On Sydney's north shore, firefighting planes dropped flame retardant over trees and homes in the suburb of South Turramurra, as the bushfires came within 15km (nine miles) of the city centre.

"Next thing I know the fire was opposite our house and it was massive and the police came and grabbed our kids and took them away," resident Julia Gretton-Roberts told AFP news agency.

"My daughter is pretty freaked out."

Authorities said the Turramurra fire had been brought under control, but one firefighter had suffered a broken arm and suspected fractured ribs. _BBC

Dhaka/AKA