Emergency authorities were bracing for further property losses after a function centre and farm house were destroyed by a bushfire raging in Victoria’s north-west. The rail line between Victoria and South Australia was closed as “watch and act” orders were put in place for Dimboola and areas of the Little Desert and Grampians national parks.
Sydneysiders were also sweltering through a scorcher, with temperatures hitting 42C in parts of the city.
