Entire towns have been seared off the map by wildfires raging through Southeastern Australia, burning people in their homes and cars in the deadliest blaze in the country's history.

The fires have so far claimed 108 lives, a death toll that rose almost by the hour as officials reached further into the fire zone.

Searing temperatures and wind blasts created a firestorm that swept across a swath of the country's Victoria state, where at least 700 homes were destroyed and all of the victims died.

Officials say more victims are expected to be found.

The town of Marysville and several hamlets in the Kinglake district, both about 50miles north of Melbourne were utterly devastated.