Victoria police have published this image of a suspected arsonist

Returning home to a pile of ash
A photo-fit image was released today showing the face of a suspected arsonist thought to have started one of the deadliest fires to sweep through southeast Australia this week, which killed 21 and destroyed more than 100 homes.
Too many good people have lost their lives already. The heroes didn't deserve this.”

John Brumby, the Premier of Victoria, added a fire at Mansfield to the list of those being blamed on arsonists.
"There would seem to be no doubt at all that that fire's been deliberately lit. It's devastating," Mr Brumby said. “I think words escape us all when it comes to describing that deliberate arson.”
Chief Commissioner Nixon said that police had already spoken to some suspects.
As police continue to sift through the ashes of razed properties in search of the scores of people still missing after the fires, local communities are on high alert for looters and new arson attacks and the threat of more fires.

Kevin Rudd, the Australian Prime Minister, who today announced a national day of mourning, accused people who deliberately light fires of “mass murder”.
“What do you say about anyone like that? There are no words to describe it other than mass murder,” Mr Rudd said. “This is of a level of horror that few of us anticipated.”
The federal Attorney General, Robert McClelland, said that those who lit the bushfires could be charged with murder if caught.