Tasmania fires: 'State of shock'

5 January 2013 Last updated at 22:39 ET Help

Bushfires on the Australian island of Tasmania have stranded thousands of people and destroyed at least 100 homes.

Much of Australia is experiencing a heatwave, and temperatures in the Tasmanian state capital Hobart earlier reached a record high of 41C.

Hobart resident, Justin Merrigan tells BBC World that the city is in a state of shock.

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