Canberra researchers say they have confirmed the first case of a fire tornado from analysis of evidence collected during the January 2003 Canberra fires.

The researchers say the findings point to a possible shortcoming in the building codes in Australia's fire prone environments.

A photo of a fire twister in outback Queensland on October 24, contributed by Bulloo Shire Council. Credit:Belinda Easton

Building standards specify higher levels of structural engineering for cyclonic winds, but specifically exclude tornadoes.

Lead researcher, report co-author and Special Risks Analyst at the ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) Rick McRae said the finding, just published in the journal Natural Hazards, was based on extensive research into weather observations and radar data at the time of the fires combined with video footage and photographs taken by members of the public.