TWO SCRUB FIRES

Chronicle (Levin), 12 February 1947, Page 4

TWO SCRUB FIRES

Danger During Dry Spell Emphasised Twice within nearly an hour, flames this morning swept parts of the pit opposite the Levin Public School. On both oeeasions a pall of heavy white smoke filled the air and covered the road, where visibility.at moments was hil. The tinder-dry grass and scrub and a strong breeze aided the fire, but the firemen had no difficulty in quelling the flames at both fires within a short ' space of their arrival. The first outbreak occurred at 10.30 a.m. when the area opposite the Levin School's main entrance burst into fiame. Ashes, which had been thrown out, had been fanned by the wind and these set fire to the grass. The alarm was sounded by Miss M. Batten, of Bath Street, and but for the prompt action of the Levin Volunteer Fire Brigade, the residence of Mr. J. Galloway would have been swept by flames in less than five minutes' time. Two leads from the main were used. The excitement from the first fire had not even died down, when at approximately 11.40 a.m. the alarm was sounded again. The fire on this occasion was caused by sparks from a passing train. The area burnt out this time was opposite the P. and T. Depot, on the corner of Oxford and Stuckey Streets. Flats occupied by Mr. and Mrs. A. Gray, Mrs. M. E. Fulton, Mr. and Mrs. T. Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. E. Millchamp and Mr. and Mrs. L. V. Trass were threatened, but again the prompt action of the brigade saved the situation. Every year during the summer months the Levin Brigade is called out to quell fires in this pit. The area has been a source of worry to all in the vicinity for years, and the time has come when - some action is needed to put an end to the menace for ever. Residents in the area have been lucky so f ar, but ! there is alwavs the possibility of1 far greater consequences. A track across the pit is .frequently used by school children going to and from school. The fires emphasise the darger which exists with the continued dry spell and the need for .the exercise of very great care wherever there is grass or scrub.