Australia firefighters battle deadly inferno

Hundreds of firefighters battled a devastating "Armageddon-like" blaze for a second day in Australia Thursday that has left two dead and at least 13 in hospital, with grave fears the death toll will rise.

Cooler conditions and lighter winds aided crews as dawn broke with the bushfire not increasing in size, although South Australia state Premier Jay Weatherill said it would be days before it was fully brought under control.

"Even though a significant proportion of the fire perimeter is under control and the conditions were milder overnight, many fire fronts are still active within the fire grounds and they'll continue to be battled for some days," he said.

The premier late Wednesday said two people had died in the inferno around the town of Pinery, some 70 kilometres (around 45 miles) north of Adelaide. Unconfirmed reports said three people were missing.

"Obviously we have had the awful news of the tragic death of at least two people and we hold grave fears for many more," Weatherill said.

"We can't be entirely sure that we have identified every single person within the fire ground. That work will continue this morning as we carry out a more detailed search of the fire area."

He added that 13 people were in hospital with five in either a critical or serious condition with significant burns. South Australia Health later tweeted that they had taken 15 people to hospital for burns, smoke inhalation and minor injuries.

"We know that one of those people has burns to more than 80 percent of their body. Their condition is being closely monitored. But we do hold grave concerns for them," said Weatherill.

The blaze incinerated at least 16 homes, as well as outbuildings, farm machinery and vehicles as it raged across a 40-kilometre front, driven by strong, swirling winds late Wednesday, he added.

Livestock was also lost with reports that thousands of chickens and pigs were killed.

 Photo Caption:Department of Fire and Emergency/AFP/File | Fire trucks and firemen at the edge of a bushfire in the east of Esperance, some 750 kilometres southeast of Perth, on November 19, 2015