Fierce Fire Sweeps Scrub On Dry Cliff Face At The Heads

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 95, 8 February 1950, Page 5

Fierce Fire Sweeps Scrub On Dry Cliff Face At The Heads

Believed to have been started by an elderly man, who hurried away as soon as the flames broke out of control a fierce fire swept the scrub clad cliff face by the Maori settlement at the Heads, Whakatane, early yesterday afternoon and last night. With great clouds of white smoke billowing skywards the fire soon swept upward and fanned by a fresh westerly breeze threatened one small cottage until the Whakatane Volunteer Fire Brigade arrived on the scene soon after the alarm was raised.

Covered in dry inflammable scrub the hot cliff side was soon aflame but the fire did not advance rapidly. The brigade kept a watch throughout the day while borough Workmen made a wide break in the path of the fire.

Soon Out Of Control Residents living in the area say that an elderly man was seen smoking 'by the side of the road where the fire began. A little later he was seen trying to beat flames out but they were caught by the wind and swept quickly up the hill. When the outbreak got out of control he hurried away from the scene. Last night numerous sightseers visited the Heads where bright crimson flames leaping high into the air followed by showers of sparks made a spectacular scene. There were two main outbreaks then, one near the summit of the cliff and the other near a small cottage by the road. This was put out by local residents. \

Although the brigade could do little a close watch was kept on the fire but at 5.40 a.m. today flames had crept perilously CIOS9 to houses at the Heads and a call was made for the brigade. The outbreak was soon extinguished here. Later this morning the fire had died down considerably although it kept breaking out again at intervals.