Bushfire Victims' Tribute Onlinetributes.com.au

The number of people killed by the devastating Black Saturday bush fires that swept south-eastern Australia last week has climbed to 189, but police warned the figure would rise, possibly to beyond 300.

Members of the Victorian police force's Disaster Victim Identification team have spent days searching through the rubble and ash of fire-ravaged towns for anything that can identify those caught in the blazes.

In many cases very little, except small amounts of DNA and pieces of jewellery, remain. Police then have the painstaking task of cross-referencing the DNA with the long lists of missing persons.

On Friday, Brendan Sokaluk, 39, was charged with arson causing death in relation to the deadly Gippsland fire, which devastated 39,000 hectares in the Latrobe valley, east of Melbourne, and remains out of control. The arson charge relates to 11 of the 21 deaths. He was also charged with deliberately lighting a bush fire and possessing child pornography.

Public anger over the worst bush fires in Australia's history remains high. Mr Sokaluk was moved from Morwell, where he was questioned by police, to a cell in Melbourne for his own safety. As the van carrying him pulled out of the town, enraged locals pounded on the doors and yelled abuse.

The Australian government announced a national day of mourning on Sunday to honour the victims of the Victorian bush fires.