Australian newsreader dies in bushfire

Australian newsreader Brian Naylor has been killed by bushfires ravaging the state of Victoria.

Naylor, who presented bulletins on Melbourne's Channel Nine, was found dead alongside his wife Moiree in the rubble of their razed home in Kingslake.

The 78-year-old, who closed his final bulletin with the words "may your news be good news, and goodnight", became the face of the network's news in 1978.

Speaking of the death, Channel Nine's director of news Michael Venus said: "He was the doyen of newsreaders in this country's very rich history of television news.

"Certainly in this city he reigned over a period where he was the very best at his craft and I personally have never seen anyone who could hold a candle to him."

Widespread bushfires in the state have so far killed 171 people.