DISASTROUS FIRE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 115, 13 February 1928, Page 8

DISASTROUS FIRE

THREE THOUSAND ACRES SWEPT PLANTATIONS AND FENCING BURNT HOMES ENDANGERED Dominion Special Service. Nelson, February 11. Two scrub tires in the Redwood’s Valley region yesterday swept over an area of about 3000 acres. Several pine plantations were destroyed, fruit trees were burnt, fencing has disappeared, sheep have perishcd, and only by the almost super, human efforts of the fire-fighters were a number of homes saved from destruction.

About noon yesterday a fire was started on a Redwood’s Valley property with the intention of clearing up some rubbish. A puff of wind carried a live

ember a few yards, where it alighted among some dry stuff, and in a few seconds a fire was sweeping over the hill, and before it was extinguished had desolated close on 1000 acres in Redwood’s 'Valley, Stewart’s Estate, and Appleby.

From the outset strenuous efforts were made to prevent the fire travelling westward, as in this direction lay

four or five dwellings and a large number of packing sheds, and also many large plantations of pines. The fighters were successful in their efforts here, but it was only after a tremendous battle that the fire was checked westward and the homes saved.

Sweeping towards Appleby, the fire got into a pine plantation of Mr. Callaghan’s property, where the trees were about 50 feet high, and a clean sweep was made. The fighters by the most strenuous efforts fought the flames back from Mr. Callaghan’s motor shed. Carried along by the high wind, the fire reached Mr. Chailie’s property and completely swept it. It is stated that a number of sheep perished on this propertv. Here the fire burnt itself out.

A large portion of the Stewart Estate swept by the fire was planted in pines, ' several thousands of them two to three years old. None of these appears likely to survive. Bluegum plantations on this estate, of varying ages, some of the trees being 60 to 70 feet high, were consumed bv the fire, the burning trees making a highly spectacular sight. Later another call came from the southern portion of Redwood’s Valley where pines, plantations, orchards and buildings were seriously threatened by a fire that had spread from Eve’s Valley. In a short space of time about 50 fighters were on the scene and another long and hard battle ensued. A party of fire-fighters entered a block of 50 acres of pines on Allendale and succeeded in saving all but about four acres of it. Other pine plantations suffered more or less, and a good many fruit trees were destroyed. It is estimated that in the second fire about 2000 acres were swept in Redwood’s Valley. No estimate is available concerning Eve’s Valiev, but a very large area must have been bared there. Some of those who had been engaged in fighting the fires were completely prostrated. Others sustained burns, but so far as could be gathered not of a serious nature. The fires were still burning at 11 o’clock last night, but it was ‘ not thought that they could do serious damage. Information this morning was that the fires were now all out.

OUTBREAK ON MOUNT TE AROHA

MAYOR CANVASSES TOWN FOR FIRE BEATERS. Bi Telegraph.—Press association. Auckland, February 11. Yesterdav fire again broke out on Mount Te Aroha. At 6.30 p.m. the left face of the bald spur broke into flames, and the bracken blazed out along a wide front. The alarm was given, and the Mayor canvassed the town for every available man and boy as fire beaters. A desperate remady had to be adopted of firing an area running parallel with the town’s water supply mains. This served as a fire break, but the position towards midnight was still critical. Ihe catchment area was still a roaring furnace. If a gale should come up the fight to save Te Aroha’s beautv spots on the mountain and the domain will be a stern one.

The need for protection against fire loss is obvious Consult the Mercantile and General Insurance Company Ltd., Panama Street, Wellington.— Advt.