THE STRATFORD FIRE

Dunstan Times, Issue 1246, 15 January 1886, Page 3

THE STRATFORD FIRE

The * Hawel-a Star’ gives thefollowa lug additional information—■“ The fire, which seems only to have lasted four or five hours, came across the cleared space forming the township from the mountain, from which direction it had been blowing all day. It must have been terrific in its force to judge from the appearance of everything. Imagine a space one ’mile square covered with logs and stumps iu one huge blaze, with smoke rising iu dense volumes, and some idea can be obtained of what it was like. This is the description given by those who saw it, for they say that there Was not a stump but what was alight. As these literally lie round the doors of houses, and large lumps of lighten timber blew about everywhere, it is a miracle that any house remains It was only by constant watching and battling with the elements by constantly pouring water on the logs that it was kept down, and even this was fast wiaring out the energy of the combatants, who, with the joint effects of smoke and tire, were almost blind. In fact, if the wind had not changed the whole place must have gone. As it was parties had to keep relieving one another by going down to the swamp and obtaining a little fresh air, which was the only place where it could be obtained. Almost half the houses in the neighbourhood are either destroyed or mutilated. So far.intelligence is to a great extent uncertain. People are supposed to be camping out in the green bush to save their lives, and not all of them have come in up to the present. However, there is information, more or less authentic, of no less than twenty«uiue different places being burnt, damage to which it is difficult at present to estimate but it must run into L7OOO or L8t)00 at the least. The fire started up the Opuuake road last, week, when it spread, and Mr James had a narrow escape of losing his place. Since then it has been gradually spreading, and when the wind rose on Monday it made rapid strides, running across the country from Mi...hurst to Klthamin a terrible manner. The appearance of the township is pitiful. Those houses that are standing have all the adjuncts burned cr carried away, and in many instances the building itself is charred, and was only saved by determined drenching on the part of the inmates. Animals are reported to have been burned in all directions. Nearly all the cattle and horses shifted for themselves, and are missing, the fences being burnt down, and the auimals having to clear for their lives. Hourly many persona are coming in from the back, having had saddles and horses and furniture burnt before their eyes, and their little all torn from them, while they themselves had to hurry from the scene. However, no cases of death are reported, although one or two persons are missing. Nearly everyone that has passed through is blind, or partially so. So far the following places have been destroyed;— In the township of Stratford: The I Borough Hall. Stanley’s house, Bowman’s house, Hunter’s house, Curtis’s kerosene store, Mulrea’s slaughteryards, Kirkpatrick’s out houses -and fencing (right up to the doors), Bran* nigau’southousesand yards, A. Roger’s house,.Collins’ stables and fencing, and Backet’s outhouses, fences, etc. Public Road: Hill Brothers’ outhouse, Woodrooffe’s house, Friend’s outhouse and the timber of same. Opuuake road : Shairock’s house and Stanford’s house. East Road: Baird’s outhouses, etc. Flint Road: Parret’s house, and Brooks road bridge (being erected by Standing and Turner, and nearly finished), and all the timber and plant; M'Oallnm’s house and outhouse; Kennedy’s outhouses, cattle, and every* thing but grass shed aud contents. Near tho township: Saylor’s boarding house On the main road near the township; M'Navit’a house; Finn’s house and the adjuncts. The Stratford hotel, aud Curtis’ on the Opunake road were destroyed. The busbfalleis lost their blankets, clothing, and swnga. It is expected that there will be several wore losses between Kacoma j and Stratford, as fires are raging very fiercely. On Wednesday night, when same horsemen wore passing, both Ware’s aud Blake’s places, and Moloney’s and Godley’s, on the Flint road, were in great danger. It is also

expected that. Iherci will be several fresh cases on the Opuuake road, and to the east of the township as f (i* as Captain Lund’s homestead. Mr Harnock, a Better who worked hard all day, and was brought down by the special: here, is seriously Thd Borough Council of Hawera- held . a special meeting and appointed a committee to look after the homeless who have been brought in. < * r 1 >.'