Sydney suburb is hottest place on the planet as fires rage across Australia and death toll rises

Smoke and wildfire rage behind Lake Conjola in Australia as residents and tourists fled the flames raging across the country’s eastern coast last week

A suburb of Sydney was the hottest place on Earth yesterday as Australian wildfires claimed two more lives.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison called up 3,000 military reservists on Saturday as the death toll rose to 23 since September when the worst Australian wildfire season on record began.

Soaring temperatures and strong winds has made tackling the fires increasingly difficult for the emergency services.

Fire tornadoes and dry lightning have hampered efforts to control more than 150 fires.

Government minister and MP for the fire-ravaged south coast, Andrew Constance, said yesterday: “I’ve got to be honest with you, this isn’t a bushfire it’s an atomic bomb.”

Emergency crews tackle a blaze in Blackheath, New South Wales

The temperature in the Sydney suburb of Penrith soared to 48.9C yesterday, making it the hottest place on Earth.

Kangaroo Island, where two people were found dead yesterday was devastated by fire. More than 150,000 hectares were burnt in a blaze which also destroyed luxury hotel complex Southern Ocean Lodge.

Outback pilot Dick Lang and his surgeon son Clayton died in the Kangaroo Island bushfire after their car was trapped by flames.

The body of 78-year-old Mr Lang is believed to have been found in their vehicle on Playford Highway while his 43-year-old son was found some distance away.

Prime Minister Morrison said yesterday: “We are facing another extremely difficult next 24 hours.”

Australian navy ships have been lifting hundreds of people from beaches in towns cut off by roads by the fires. A second evacuation from Mallacoota beach will take place today.

Meanwhile, pop star Pink has pledged half a million dollars to help the effort to control the fires. In an Instagram message to her 7.3 million followers, she said: “I am totally devastated watching what is happening in Australia with the horrific bushfires.”