Fear for family battling bushfire

More than 180 people have been killed in the fires

A woman is fearing for her family's safety because they are trapped by bushfires in south-east Australia.

Kerry Sissins, originally from near Melbourne but living in Banbury, Oxfordshire, said her brother and his family are cut off from local roads.

Dr Sissins said her father, who is also a volunteer firefighter in the area, claimed he has never seen bushfires as severe in his 40-years service.

About 181 people have died in the fires which have swept through the region.

Dr Sissins, a chiropractor, said: "I was able to speak with two of my brothers but I've only spoke to my father once for about 30 seconds because he's been out fighting fires and hasn't really been contactable.

The emotional toll on the population has been really quite devastating Dr Kerry Sissins

"I've been most concerned about my brother because he has three small children.

"When I spoke to him and asked what he was planning to do, he said 'well we have to stay because the highway's cut off and we can't get out'."

Dr Sissins also said her parent's house had been surrounded on three sides by fire and dealing with its effects was "starting to tell".

"My father is physically tired as you can imagine - he's nearing 70 - but it's really the emotional strain that's really starting to take it's toll," she said.

"He's had 11 people that he knows directly, killed by this fire.

"I do think that whilst he's busy with the fires it's a focus and that's helpful. But I think the hard part - not just for him but for everyone concerned is when that all dies down.

"The emotional toll on the population has been really quite devastating. "

'Too fast'

Dr Sissins said her father had described "balls of fire" raining down on his truck as he tried to drive around the area.

"Australians are really very aware of bush fires, particularly if you live in those sorts of areas and people are prepared," she said.

"But unfortunately these fires were just so fast that those plans were to no avail.

"It's a bit surreal really, there's nothing much you can do [from here]."

The 11-hour time difference between the UK and Australia makes it very difficult to know when it is appropriate to call her relatives, she said.

But she said survivors will eventually pick up and carry on with their lives.

"It's an attitude I know the British are familiar with - they don't tend to lie down and die very easily either," Dr .

"You can't let it beat you. you just can't."