SCRUB FIRE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5190, 12 October 1927, Page 2

SCRUB FIRE.

BLAZE NEAR BENNETT STREET. TWO RESIDENCES ENDANGERED. The Paeroa Volunteer Fire Brigade answered a call shortly before 11.30 o’clock this morning, but, fortunately, its services; were not required. When the alarm was received at the fire station the seat of the fire was stated to be Mr P. Jennings’ residence in Albert Street, and the firemen and epgine promptly made for that locality. However, the information proved to be incorrect, as the outbreak occurred in scrub on some vacant sections owned by Mr G. P. de, Castro and situated between Lewis and Bennett streets.

Fanned by a stiff westerly breeze, the flames spread with great rapidity and traversed the section across to t.sje hedge surrounding the residence of *Mr A. T. Jones. A number of boys from the District High School were first on the, scene, and they did good work in beating out the flames with manuka branches, and by their prompt action relieved the residence of a very real danger. Some ten minutes afterwards the brigade arrived, having travelled to the scene by way of Station and Thames roads. and, leaving the fire engine in Nahum Street, they made across-country on foot and carried on the work of fighting the flames with sacks and branches.-

The firei was quickly got under control and the tendency to spread towards the residence of Mr Finnie w.as checked. The only damage that occurred was the destruction of a plantation of trees and several yards of elaeagnus hedge.