Aust fires a 'wake-up call': UK Speaker

Australia's wildfires crisis should act as a "wake-up call for the world", according to Britain's House of Commons Speaker.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle expressed the House's "deepest sympathies" with the people of Australia and sent a "message of solidarity" to their colleagues in the Australian parliament.

He said: "We pay tribute to the firefighters and all those who are putting their lives at risk.

"The magnitude of the disaster unfolding in Australia should shock us all, with human and animal lives and precious species of fauna being destroyed.

"This is a wake-up call for the world. All Australians are in our thoughts and prayers."