More arrests as Australian fires rage on

Australian police arrested two more teenage arson suspects today as firefighters battled through a twelfth straight day of destructive…

Australian police arrested two more teenage arson suspects today as firefighters battled through a twelfth straight day of destructive bush fires that have destroyed scores of homes and forced the evacuation of thousands of people.

A firefighter was seriously injured today while battling a blaze at Oberon in the west of New South Wales.

It is the first major injury in 12 days of firefighting across more than 80 fronts around the state.

The arrests bring to 23 the number accused of starting the fires. Among them are 15 juveniles, one aged nine.

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Fire chiefs and weather forecasters predicted the emergency could stretch into next week as there was no sign of rain to douse the fire fronts, which combined stretch more than 1,200 miles.

Police said about half of the 100 blazes, that have blackened an estimated 1.2 million acres and destroyed 160 homes, have been deliberately started. A boy, 14, and girl, 16, were arrested today.

An angry New South Wales Premier Bob Carr also promised harsh treatment for young offenders. "Any youngster nabbed lighting a fire will not get off with a warning from a judge."

Those not sent to juvenile institutions to serve time would be required to meet fire victims and burns victims. The maximum penalty for adult offenders is 14 years in prison

No deaths have been recorded since the fire emergency started on December 24th but wildlife has been decimated.

AP