Oklahoma Wildfires: Police Hunt 'Arsonist'

US police are hunting a possible arsonist after dozens of homes were destroyed by wildfires in Oklahoma.

Fifteen fires, spread over more than 50,000 acres across the state, have destroyed around 100 buildings and left one town, Luther, almost completely destroyed.

Investigators say they believe the fire was started intentionally by someone who was throwing lighted newspapers from the window of a pickup.

Oklahoma County Sheriff's Department is seeking the public's help in locating the driver of a black 2008 Ford F-150 pickup that was seen in the area just before the fire.

Father-of-two Casey Strahan's home in Luther was reduced to ashes.

He said: "You never know how bad it is until you come out here and see it and try to pick stuff up — but it's all white chalk and ash.

"It's over now. You gotta find a spot to get going and start over."

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management spokeswoman Keli Cain said: "It's a combination of hot temperatures, low humidity and what has really been the deciding factor the last two days has been the wind."

At least seven firefighters have been treated for heat exhaustion but no deaths or major injuries have been reported.

Towns in Oklahoma County, Payne County, Creek County and Lincoln County have been evacuated and some highways and main roads have been closed.