ENORMOUS FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1929, Page 5

ENORMOUS FIRE

THREATENS OIL REGION. MILLIONS OF DOLLARS DAMAGE. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegrapn.—Copyrigh t.) (Received this day at 10.30. a.m.) NEW YORK September 17. A message from Ventura, California states hundreds of men and trucks over a fifty miles front are endeavouring to stem a line of fire which is sweeping down the slopes of Sulphur mountain and advancing towards the rich Ventura avenue of oil fields despite supreme efforts to hold back the flames. Two million dollars of damage has been done to scattered oil equipments. Many refugees are fleeing from the area. Two hundred fire fighters' today escaped deatli from the flames only by a slight shift in the wind, wnich turned the fire which was about to trap them.

OIL WELLS ABLAZE. 95 ALREADY BURNT. NEW YORK, September 17. A Los Angeles message states two disastrous fi'res continue unchecked. The total damage is well above three million .dollars. The Ventura blaze is running wild before a brisk wind and lias already destroyed ninety-five oil wells. Hope is given up for forty-nine other' wells.' Fire fighters are attempting desperately to save the rich Ventura field three miles beyond. Women and girls nre aiding the boys and men. All of whom have been available have been working for many hours. The fire entered Wheeler 1 Canyon and destroyed valuable- ranches and threatened the town of Saute Paula, which is deserted.

ENORMOUS DAMAGE DONE. SECOND FURNACE. NEW 7 YORK, September 17. A second roaring furnace is uncontrolled outside San Diego City’s watershed. Thousands of acres have been burnt and numerous homes wrecked. Hot winds from Imperial Valley deserts are spreading the flames. The hillsides a.re covered with the charred bodies of live stock, with game' and poultry.