Two firefighters killed battling Australian bushfires

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 19: Fire and Rescue personal run to move their truck as a bushfire burns next to a major road and homes on the outskirts of the town of Bilpin on December 19, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has declared a state of emergency for the next seven days with ongoing dangerous fire conditions and almost 100 bushfires burning across the state. It's the second state of emergency declared in NSW since the start of the bushfire season. (Photo by David Gray/Getty Images)

Men die as truck crashed into tree then rolls off road in Buxton

Buxton, Australia: Two Australian firefighters were killed and three injured when their truck crashed as they battled out-of-control blazes in New South Wales state, officials said Friday.

The accident occurred when the truck crashed into a tree then rolled off the road during an operation late Thursday at Buxton, about 100 kilometres southwest of Sydney, the NSW Rural Fire Service said.

“This is an absolutely devastating event in what has already been an incredibly difficult day and fire season,” the RFS said in a statement.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison paid tribute to the firefighters, saying their sacrifice would always be remembered.

“They were bravely defending their communities with an unmatched spirit and a dedication that will forever set them apart amongst our most courageous Australians,” he said in a statement.

NSW has declared a state of emergency as an unprecedented heatwave fans bushfires that have destroyed homes and smothered huge areas with a toxic smoke, including Australia’s largest city Sydney.

Thousands of firefighters are trying to contain the blazes amid record temperatures nearing 50 degrees Celsius in places.

Morrison warned conditions were set to worsen.

“These fires and heat conditions are horrendous, and there are still difficult days ahead, with Saturday predicted to be the most severe day, with extreme temperatures and wind making conditions very difficult for fire crews,” he said.