DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

Kumara Times, Issue 2891, 11 January 1886, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

STRATFORD TOWNSHIP PARTLY DESTROYED.

Wellington, January 7. A special message to the Hawera Star gives the following additional information with reference to the fire at Stratford. The fire, which seems to have lasted only 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, in one huge blaze witl” smoke rising in dense volumes, and some idea can be obtained of what it is like. This is the description given by those who saw it, for they say that there was not a stump but was alight. As these literally lie round the doors of houses, and large lumps of lighted 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 pourin'* water on the logs that it was kep*t down, and even this was fast wearing out the energies of the combatants” who, with the joint efforts of smoke and fire, were almost blinded and suffocated. In fact, if the wind had not changed, the whole place must have gone. As it was, parties bad 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. Ahhoooh fortunately damage to the town is comparatively light, I might say literally that almost half the houses in the neighbourhood are either destroyed or mutilated. So far intelligence is to a gieat 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, I have information more or less authentic of no less than twenty . nine different places being burnt. The damage is difficult at sent to estimate, but it must run up to .£7OOO or £BOOO at least. The fire, it appears, started up the Opunake road last week, when it spread, and Mr James had a narrow escape of losinw his place Since then it has been gradually spreading, and the wind rose yesterday. The fire made rapid strides, running across the country from Madhurst to Eltham in a terrible manner. The appearance of the township is pitiable. Those houses that are standing have all their adjuncts burned or carried away, and in many instances the bedding itself is charred, and was only saved by the determined drenching on the pa it of the inmates. Animals are reported to have been burned in all directions, and I have seen already several cases in which pigs have been burned alive, and fowls, &e., scorched up. Nearly all the cattle and horses shifted for themselves, and are missing, the fences being burned down, and the animals having to clear for their lives. Hourly many persons are coming in from the back with sad tales of houses 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 every one that passed through the fire is blind, or partially so, and this morning I have witnessed a sad spectacle of strong men being led into town by those mote fortunate than themselves not being able to open their eyes at all! They hold up bravely, however, under misfortunes, although in many cases so dazed by the smoke and excitement that they reel like drunken men. My own eyes are badly damaged, and lean imagine from that how bad it must have been for those in the thick of it.

So far the following are the places destroyed, with all contents, in the township of Stratford .-—Town Hall, Stanley’s house, Hunter’s house ; Bow.’ naan s house, Hunter’s house; Curtis’ kerosene store, containing gunpowder and kerosene; Mulree’s slaughter yard; Kirkpatrick’s out houses and fences, right up to the doors ; Brannigan’s outhouses and yards; A. Ungers’ house, Collins’ s tables and fencing, and

Racket's outhouses, fences, &o. Pembroke road—Hill Bros.’ house, Woodruff’s house, Friend’s outhouses, &c., and Moors’ outhouse and timber of same. Opunake road Sharrock’s house, Northcote’s house, Saunder’s house, and Stanford’s house. East road Baird’s outhouses, &c., Oats’ house. Flint road—Parrett’s house, and Brook’s road bridge, being erected by Standing and Turner, nearly finished, and all timber and plant; M'Millan’s house and outhouses, Kennedy’s outhouses, cattle, and everything bub house and grass, shed, and contents near the township, Taylor’s boarding-house on the main road near the township, M‘Davitt’s house, aud the adjuncts to the Stratford Hotel, and to Curtis’s on the Opunake road, were destroyed. A hole was burnt in the house of Christian, and Patersons, bush fallers, lost their blankets, clothing and swags, and several smaller cases are continually coming in. It is expected that there will be several more losses between Katoms and Stratford, as fires were raging very fiercely last night, when some horsemen were passing. Both Ware and Blake’s places wete in great danger, and Maloney’s and Oodley’s places on the Flint rend. It is also expected that there will be several fresh cases on the Opunake road, and to the east of the township as far as Capt. Lund’s homestead. No loss of human life is yet recorded, but most people have suffered burns, and much injury to their eyes owing to the smoke. ‘ Mr Harnock, a settler who worked hard all day, and was brought down by the special here, is seriously ill. A good many people as yet are missing. The Borough Council of Hawera held a special meeting this morning, and appointed a Committee to look after the homeless who have been brought here. January 9. Subscriptions in aid of the sufferers by the bush fire at Stratford have been opened in various newspaper offices. The inquest on the recent fire is to be held on Monday.