Fire Sweeps Over Farm

Chronicle (Levin), 5 February 1949, Page 4

Fire Sweeps Over Farm

Press Association)

(Per

CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 4. Heavy losses were suffered by a Templeton farmer, Mr. Alex Stewart, when fire swept his farm today, and destroyed his house and severely dar aged farm injplements an'd buildings. ^ it is estimated tliat the total damag^^^ will amount to several thousand pounds, , The fire started at aliout 11.45 a.m. in [ a paddock of wheat which was being I headed. Fanned by a strong northeasterly wind the lire raced away downfieid, spread into the fences and swept on down the next paddock. The tractor and header were turned and driven to» ward a gate. Though the tractor pa§s^ ed through it became stuck in the water raee running alongside the pad- . dock which bordered the road. The re« suit was that tlie header could not be got out and it was severely damaged. In the njeantime the fire after pass-; ing the next paddock caught a maerO" carpa hedge wliich surrounded the homestead. The house, which was of the old square type, was destroyed, Further damage was caused round the , homestead through the fire getting int? the outbuildings. A. line of • sheds foy housiug implements was burnt out, onijt, the roofing iron being left.