Australian police have charged Friday an arsonist who is expected to have started one of the country's deadly bushfires earlier this week. He has been moved to a secret, maximum security location amid growing concerns of vigilante attacks, the UK Guardian reported.

The 39-year-old allegedly started the C¬hurchill-Jeeralang bushfire in the LaTrobe valley region of Gippsland, south-east Victoria, in which at least 21 people died.

He was charged with one count of arson causing death, which carries a maximum 25-year jail term, and one count of intentionally starting a fire, which carries a 15-year term.

He was also charged with possessing child pornography.
Earlier this week the prime minister, Kevin Rudd, called those responsible for the devastating bushfires "mass murderers". Robert McClelland, the attorney general, vowed to pursue murder charges.

The fire, which is still burning out of control, was one of hundreds that swept across the state of Victoria last weekend, killing at least 181 people and leaving 7,000 homeless.

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