EXTENSIVE GORSE FIRE ON MT. VICTORIA

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 96, 17 January 1935, Page 10

EXTENSIVE GORSE FIRE ON MT. VICTORIA

Many Acres Blackened HOUSES THREATENED, BUT FLAMES CHECKED A gorse and grass fire which assumed serious proportions, broke out cm tlie western face of Mount Victoria, Wellington, yesterday afternoon, aud under the influence of a strong northerly breeze, swept to the summit and progressed for a considerable distance oyer on the Hataitai side before it was finally checked by firemen and helpers. _ Starting at about 2.30, at the extremity of a valley a little distance up from Oriental Bay, the fire spiead fanwise up the hill with rapidity. 7 olumes of smoke billowed skyward, attracting attention from the city. Two or three houses near the point of origin of the tire were threatened but the flames were subdued there before damage was caused. Meantime the fire had travelled up to 2YA radio station, despite efforts to hold the flames. The transmitting station was enveloped in dense smoke, only the tops of the twin masts being unobscured So uncomfortable were the conditions created with the march of tlie fire, that the afternoon broadcast was interrupted. It appeared as though damage to the building was inevitable, but the fire, after wiping out all growth in the vicinity, passed on over the crown of the hill. It was out of hand and ate through the scrub unchecked Flames Leap Road. The flames leapt the road running round the top of the hill and were driven by the strengthening wind down tlie slopes of the other side toward liakau Road. Hataitai. The firemen concentrated at points where it appeared that the fire would break through in the direction of a number of houses. As it advanced down hill and in a southerly direction it was held by Marewa Road, circling the bill to join with Rakau Road. Handicapped by a poor pressure of water ou account! of the height at which they were operating, the firefighters were obliged to reinforce the flow with a motor pump for one lead on the western side while firemen on the Hataitai face worked up toward their colleagues with a weak stream. The attackers met a few yards from one threatened house and halted the fire, which was extinguished before it had done any damage. It is estimated that Upward of 50 acres were swept, the result being a blackened expanse on both sides of the hill.