Four killed as out-of-control bushfires burn in Australia Published duration 18 November 2015

image copyright Kate Sainty image caption Firefighter Kate Sainty took this photo of bushfires near Merivale, east of Esperance

Four people have been killed and there are fears for two others caught in bushfires in Western Australia.

Hundreds of firefighters are battling major blazes that were reportedly sparked by lightning over the weekend.

The worst of the blazes are north of the coastal town of Esperance, 720km south-east of Perth.

Strong winds with gusts up to 90km/h (56mph) have hampered efforts to bring the fires under control.

image copyright Alana Canning

image copyright Alana Canning

They are the first serious bushfires of the Australian summer.

Authorities said they did not believe the fires were deliberately lit.

"During last night, four people were located deceased in the fire area of Grass Patch, Salmon Gums and surrounding areas in the Shire of Esperance," police said via Facebook.