SETTLERS' HOMES DESTROYED.

Shannon News, 12 March 1926, Page 3

SETTLERS' HOMES DESTROYED.

WOMEN AND CHILDREN SHELTERED IN PUBLIC HALL. BLENHEIM, March 11. Destructive 'bush firefe are reported tram Tunakino Valley which is ahlaze from end to end. Yesterday afternoon a call came for men to go> to C. Bryant's sawmill at Pelorous 'bridge, which was reported to be in imminent danger of being tamed as it was in the path of the (bush Are. When tho party reached the scene they, found that things were not so bad as they had feared, and were not long m saving, the situation. While engaged in this work they received a call from Tunaktoo, Opouri Valley, where a fire had broken out and was spreading rapidly on a wide front. Settlers for miles around were beating.the Atonies but help was urgently needed as the Are was -found to be threatening Arthur Hefcfoard's house and a great effort was made to protect it. The Are, however, won and the house was destroyed. P. Neal's house was also threatened, but was saved after a strenuous fight: The women and children .of the settlement were sheltered in the -Public Hall. The fire fighters worked till the early hours of '-this morning and the latest news, is that the danger is definitely suppressed. ' -V,. ..i..