Many people remained unaccounted for as homes crumbled by bushfires

Prime Minister Julia Gillard toured the shaken southern island, where more than 100 homes were razed in catastrophic heat and wind conditions by fast-moving blazes that continued to burn across the state.

About 100 people were missing but no deaths have yet to be reported.

Initial investigations suggested that the fires ignited accidentally and "there is no indication at this stage that any of the fires in Tasmania were started intentionally", police added.

Emergency crews in Tasmania and several other Australian states were battling to contain scores of blazes that started in a heatwave last week before conditions worsen again, with scorching temperatures predicted in coming days.

In neighbouring Victoria state, scene of the deadly Black Saturday firestorm that killed 173 people in 2009, hot and windy conditions were expected on Tuesday, with very high and severe danger ratings for much of the state.

The 2009 Victoria inferno, which destroyed more than 2,000 homes, was Australia's worst natural disaster of modern times.

Blazes were also reported in the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia and Queensland states.

Wildfires are a fact of life in the vast but sparsely populated arid continent, particularly in the hot summer months between December and February.

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