Thousands forced to flee to beaches in fire-ravaged southeast Australia

Thousands of holidaymakers and locals were forced to flee to beaches in fire-ravaged southeast Australia Tuesday, as blazes ripped through popular tourist areas leaving no escape by land. Four thousand people were trapped on the foreshore of the town of Mallacoota and many others sought refuge on beaches in fire-encircled seaside towns up and down a 200-kilometre (135-mile) strip of coast. Some residents with boats even took to the sea, hoping for refuge from one the worst days yet in Australia'