Bushfires strike Australia

Eastern Australia has been hit by a series of bushfires that broke out over the weekend,

Some 50 fires are currently raging around the environs of Sydney, with hot, windy and arid conditions causing the majority of the blazes.

However, officials have said they believe that arsonists may have started a number of the fires.

"Some of the fires at least, through the process of elimination, we suspect very strongly were the consequence of acts of arson," said New South Wales Rural Fire Service commissioner, Phil Koperberg.

He added that investigations were underway to ascertain the cause of all blazes.

The bushfires have come earlier this summer than is usual in Australia and could be a sign of worse to come in future months, warn officials.

Only seven homes have so far been destroyed by the blazes and firefighters managed to begin backburning operations today as the country enjoyed cooler conditions.