Officials say at least two people have been killed and several others injured by huge wildfires that also destroyed homes near the southern Australian city of Adelaide and continue to burn out of control.

Bush fire rages in Adelaide. Source: 1 NEWS

South Australia state Premier Jay Weatherill said two bodies have been recovered and a report remains unconfirmed of a third person killed when a car hit a tree in the razed rural area.

He says firefighters were among those injured by the blaze that has scorched 85,000 hectares of farm and woodland and threatens several towns near Adelaide, the state's capital and largest city.