BUSH FIRES IN SOUTHLAND

Evening Star, Issue 4045, 12 February 1876, Page 2

BUSH FIRES IN SOUTHLAND

For the last few days serious fires have been raging in the large bush which extends eastward from Gladstone, and more or lobs surrounds the suburbs of Clinton and Mitchelltown. sHow the fire originated in the latter quarter no one seems to know precisely, at least so far as the. burning in the extreme east -is concerned. At the western end the fire is Buspected to have been caused by sparks from I a . recently occupied section, where the owner was clearing the ground, Mu.gfc damage has been done to property, particularly towards the eastern townships. At Gladstone a young girl, the .daughter. pf a resident named Bragge, had a narrow escape' from a painfnl death. Along with other children she was playing about one of the burning stumps, when a gust of wind sent the flames on to her light dress, which was instantly in a blaze. Fortunately.'the mishap was observed by some neighbors nearj who at once ran to her assistance, but before the burning clothes could be got off "she was rather severely injured, particularly about the lower part "of the body, At Mitchelltown the newly-built house/of Mr Leslie Cheyne caught some sparks from the surrounding flames,, and ,wfia.soou burned.to the; ground, notwithstanduig every effort to.saveit. Fortunately r the;fiituitureJiad bean' removed, and the lnsuranoQ will partially cover the loss* .Inthejara. quarte* a pqriaou or tramway was only saved

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