Identity of man killed in Western Downs inferno revealed

The identity of a man who died while trying to flee from a raging bushfire in the state’s west has been revealed.

The name of the man police investigators believe died while trying to flee out-of-control bushfires on the Western Downs has been revealed.

Police believe the body of a man found at a Tara property on Tuesday evening was the property owner Ulrich Widawski, however, a forensic examination is required to 100 per cent confirm the identity.

It is understood Mr Widawski had been reported missing by family as the enormous fires engulfed entire properties in the region.

Queensland Police announced on Wednesday morning that human remains were located near a dam on a property along Chinchilla-Tara Rd about 6.30pm on Tuesday.

Staging point for fire and emergency services near Tara. Picture: Liam Kidston

Sixteen homes have been destroyed as firefighters battle out-of-control bushfires fuelled by the “worst conditions in 40 years”.

Overnight, storms delivered an “absolutely peppering” of dry lightning strikes that have ignited five new fires.

One of those fires ignited by a lightning strike is at Halliford, between Tara and Dalby, and is causing concern for firefighters, with an emergency warning issued about 11.30am.

The warning affects properties between the Moonie Highway, Schultzs Road and Broadwater Road including Halliford Road and the Kumbarilla State Forest.