BUSH FIRES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 343, 18 February 1902, Page 4

BUSH FIRES.

SYDNEY SUBURBS DEVASTATED. MILES OF COUNTRY IN FLAMES A destructive hush fire which swept ovei several miles of country and entailed the loss of a number of houses and large areas of grass and bush was experienced within a few miles of Sydney on Thursday afternoon, says the Sydney Herald of Saturday last. The flames had their origin in the lower Bankstown district, and fanned by a strong hot wind they spread rapidly. Quickly assuming large proportions, tlie fire swept through thousands of acres of grass and timbered country, consuming in its progress every vestige of light vegetation, many miles of fencing, and several of tlu: homesteads of selectors. Tlie fire, which is believed to have spread from a swagman’s camp in Lower Bankstown, was carried by the high wind in the direction of Canterbur)’, Moorefield, and Belmore. Settlers in the immediate neighborhood at once turned out to combat tlie fiames. There was soon a large army of workers w ho, provided with green boughs and oilier rough and ready appliances, fought strenuously to stay the fire’s progress. The districts, however, were particularly adapted to the passage of the flames, which, fed. by fhe dry grass and dense scrub and Hush, obtained a complete mastery of the residents. Widening as it advanced it speedily began its work of destruction, and in a very brief time after the outbreak fences were being consumed and homesteads were threatened. The district was soon covered in a dense pall of smoke, and thus the attention of people busy at a considerable distance was attracted. Throughout the afternoon men kept arriving to give them assistance in the saving of property, and shortly after three o’clock the fire brigades from Kogarah, Rockdale, and Hurslville, were sum-® moned to the scene. The fiames were then approaching Moorefield, and there the firemen hastened. They at once saw that most of the country extending from Stoney Creek Road, at I-lurstville, to the St. George Hotel, at, Canterbury, was being fire swept. Assistance was first given towards ensuring the safety of Mr James Forester’s house on the Croydon Road. On the arrival of the firemen the flames had. reached to within a very short distance of the building. So dose was the conflagration that the sparks were continually falling on tlie roof, and it was only by strenuous exertions that the property was saved. Included in thn area which was devastated was the Walker Estate, bn which some hundreds of acres of grass were consumed. The homestead on this property was one of large dimensions, surrounded by numerous outhouses. Despite all efforts a number of the latter destroyed, but the fire fighters succeeded in saving the house. On the farm of Mr James Forester, sen., which was next reached, a shed and a quantity of potatoes were consumed, and the main building was for some time in danger of destruction, The brigades were much hampered by the scarcity of water. Despite that, however, the firemen gave much valuable assistance to the residents. Tn' some instances the course of tlie fire was stayed or turned by the drenching of a strip of land. After travelling down Wolli Creek the flames ignited the woodwork of a bridge that spans the stream, and the structure was only saved by the prompt arrival of the firemen. Attention was then directed to a large haystack, owned by Mr P. ScahilL and which was being rapidly approacned by tlie fire. Nothing could he done to save it, and soon alterwards the stack was enveloped in flames. Moorefield was next threatened. The fire swept towards the cemetery. which adjoined the little Wesleyan Church, and was soon licking up tlie vegetation and tlie wooden railings about the graves. For a considerable time the church itself was menaced, but united action on behalf of the residents succeeded in warding off the flames. The Hurstville Brigade, under Captain Wallace, then had ■an exciting few minutes to keep the State school from being destroyed, and it was only by (he free use of water that the building was saved. At the same time Messrs G. Justice and A. Templeton, of the Kogarah Brigade, were similarly engaged lu regard to a cottage next door, which was also intact. The residents worked incessantly to save the various premises which lay in the line of fire, hut in some instances the flames proved resistless. and houses were burnt. The premises occupied by Messrs Lees and Walters were entirely consumed, and several others suffered damage to various ex-teut. One of fhe largest buildings 'in tlie district, (he St, George Hotel, seemed at one time to ne doomed to destruction, but when hope of saving the property were reduced to zero the wind changed. So narrow was the escape that (lie outbuildings were almost reached by the flames. An adjoining property, occupied by Mr Ware, became ignited, and owing to the insufficiency of available water parts of the premises were reduced to ashes,