Wild Fires Destroy Seven Homes, Hospitalize Three Firefighters In Eastern Australia

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) -- Wild fires fanned by strong winds and soaring temperatures destroyed seven homes and put three firefighters in the hospital Friday near the eastern city of Brisbane.

Homes were gutted as several fires closed major roads and disrupted rail services west of Brisbane, the Queensland state capital, the Fire and Rescue Service said.

``The conditions today have been horrific,'' Gold Coast Rural Fire Service group officer Len Jeavons said. ``We've had firefighters putting themselves in front of flames to save houses.''

Scores of houses were threatened but saved by the efforts of hundreds of firefighters, a service spokesman said on condition of anonymity.

Three firefighters were hospitalized and several others treated for injuries while battling to control the raging blazes.

One was hit by a falling tree and suffered head and back injuries. Another firefighter suffered heart problems, while a third was bitten by a spider, the spokesman said. Their conditions were not immediately known.

The fires were fanned by 60 kilometer (35 mile) an hour westerly winds that buffeted the 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 Fahrenheit) early spring conditions.

Much of eastern Australia is in the grip of a two-year drought that has left forests and brush tinder dry.