Australia hit by extreme heatwave – in pictures

Australians head to Brighton Beach in Melbourne to keep cool. Lightning strikes sparked more than 250 fires in Victoria last night, prompting a fire ban across the state.

A possum that survived a bushfire near Perth, WA.

A ball boy at the Australian Open faints in the heat, as temperatures in Melbourne headed towards 43C on day two of the tournament. Water bottles melted on the rubberised courts and Canadian player Frank Dancevic said he hallucinated, thinking he saw “Snoopy”, before collapsing after his first set.

Firefighters battle the bushfire in Perth Hills, WA.

A ball boy cools off with misting fans put out for spectators as the heatwave continues into day three of the Australian Open, although organisers refused to stop play.

Volunteer firefighters remove smouldering debris from a property in Fennell Court, Perth Hills. Authorities have warned of worsening fire conditions on Friday, when winds are expected to gather pace.

People jump into the sea to keep cool at St Kilda Beach, Melbourne.