Bushfires victims launch class action lawsuit against power co

Survivors of Australia's biggest bushfires launched a class action lawsuit against a private electricity company, alleging that a downed power-line sparked one of the deadly blazes that devoured parts of south-eastern state of Victoria killing over 180 people.

Residents of Kinglake town launched a class action in the Victorian Supreme Court against electricity provider SP Ausnet and the government, charging that a downed power-line triggered one of the killer firestorms in a nearby pine forest, The Australian reported on Sunday.

Australia's worst-ever wildfires disaster that ripped through Victoria killed more than 180 people and destroyed 1,800 homes. Police suspect of the 400 blazes some were "deliberately" set by arsonists and has declared all fire-devastated areas to be treated as crime scenes.

The Phoenix Taskforce, which is investigating the fires, is examining a two-kilometre stretch of power line that collapsed last Saturday during the extreme heat, the paper said.

Meanwhile, prime minister Kevin Rudd led the nation in mourning the victims of deadly wildfires at church services held across the country on Sunday.