Raging wildfires trap 4,000 at Australian town’s waterfront

PERTH, AUSTRALIA (AP) — Wildfires burning across Australia’s two most populous states have trapped residents of a seaside town in apocalyptic conditions, destroyed many properties and caused at least two fatalities.

About 4,000 people fled to the waterfront of a southeastern town as winds pushed an emergency-level wildfire towards their homes.

The town of Mallacoota was shrouded in darkness from the smoke before turning an unnerving shade of bright red.

The state’s leader said there were plans to evacuate the trapped people by sea.

Two people were dead and five missing in Victoria and New South Wales states. That comes after a volunteer firefighter died Monday.