Battle With Flames

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 256, 19 January 1928, Page 1

Battle With Flames

BUSH FIRES ON MAIN TRUNK Ohakune and Raetihi Menaced THE bush fires which have been raging in the OhakuneRaetihi district have now subsided. Great anxiety was caused throughout the district and it was only by strenuous effort that several valuable mill properties were saved. Considering the extent of the fire the damage cannot be nearly estimated. No loss of stock is reported.

(Prom Our Own Correspondent) . OHAKUNE, To-day. Bush fires are still causing great anxiety in the district, and owing to the continued spell of dry weather danger will be in evidence until there is rain.

cross the stream into the reserve, and the fire brigade was in readiness to deal with emergencies. Yesterday afternoon all available men were working, trying to keep the fire from encroaching on the town. It was well alight at the back of the railway station on the Makotuku Timber Company's site. A bucket brigade here did much to avert the fire spreading. As the fire came up from Pakahi it confined itself to the valley in that quarter in the vicinity of the station yards For a mile from the station there ■was dense smoke across Raetahi-Oha-kune roads and fires were raging on A fire has been raging in the vicinity of Smith’s back mill for some days and several of the mill people slept in town last night owing to the danger. A stretch of Valley Road, extending for about three miles, was burning last night and there were patches of big flares in various places. Several Maori residences were in the danger zone. A Maori house on the Ohakune Road was the cause of much anxiety and although the fire surrounded it on different occasions it escaped beyond the loss of a shed at the rear being burnt. No serious damage is reported. A large number of pigs were taken into Raetihi yesterday afternoon, having been removed from the danger zone; also many head of stock, both sides of the road in this vicinity and owing to the closeness of the fire the Makotuku Timber Company's ■ mill was endangered. Workmen and firemen combined their efforts and took all precautionary measures to stem the onrush in the event of the fire attacking the mill. At about six o’clock all immediate danger was past in connection with the mill. Although the fire was still raging the wind decreased. As the fire swept from a southerly direction it attacked Mrs. Cunningham's house and an un-

On Sunday evening Smith's old mill at Pakihi, Raetihi, was threatened with destruction, arid the fire, corhing from the direction of the Rangataua end of the area, crept on within a chain of the mill buildings. The mill is not now operating and there was no steam up to pump water to cope with the sudden rush of fire which took place. At 5 p.m. settlers and nien from various parts of the district arrived cm the scene and soon rendered valuable assistance and It is owing to their help that no damage was done to valuable machinery and a large stock of timber at the mill. A bucket brigade fought the fire continuously for seven hours, but it was not until after midnight that the worst of the danger was past. The fire is still raging in this quarter and steadily making progress toward Raetihi. There was a fairly strong south-easterly wind blowing and soon after midday the fire was crocsing the railway lines at the back of the site where the old Makotuku Company’s mill stool. Volunteers Were called for to try and stop the fire creeping on the town. Fire-fighters worked all the afternoon in the vicinity of Raetihi Hospital and several residents made a hurried exit into more safe quarters. Scrub and logs blazed in the paddocks at the back of the hospital, hut beyond the flames just touching the corner of the house occupied by 'Mr. Davey, no damage was done. Thousands of acres in Raetihi area were covered with burning stumps, logs, fern and scrub. Towards the evening the fire crept through the bush to the river and at 8 o’clock was burning opposite the swimming pool in the bush reserve, kt times it was thought it would

occupied house nearby, and it was not long before these were burnt to the ground. The mill pump house also was in the danger zone, but fortunately escaped. It is reported that the hauler and ropes were lost at Perham and Larsen’s mill, Rangataua. The Ohakune Fire Brigade was called out to deal with outbreaks on the Horopito Road and Raetihi Road, where the Are swept across the road. There were night shifts on watch at Smith’s Pakahi mill, the Makotuku Timber Company’s mill and other mills in the district throughout the night. At about nine o’clock last night the wind abated, which relieved much anxiety and the fires died down as the night advanced. Raetihi and the surrounding area was enveloped in smoke throughout the whole of yesterday. AU kinds of wild rumours were circulated throughout the district, but fortunately there was no foundation in them. Considering the extent of the fire little damage to property or stock has been done as far as can be ascertained, beyond a few minor losses. Mrs. Cunningham’s iis the most serious. There is every danger yet until the rain comes. The winds are freshening slightly.

RAILWAY HOUSE BURNED FAMILY NARROWLY ESCAPES Press Association. OHAKUNE, To-day. The railway house at Rangataua was completely gutted early this morning. Mr. Mills and his family escaped in their night attire, saving nothing

KAURIS THREATENED

FIRE IN WAITAKERES NOW UNDER CONTROL Fire got out of control a few miles from Swanson on the side of Pukematekeo yesterday, and for a time threatened to travel toward the valuable kauris on the city reserve at Cascades Creek. The fire was fought by the ranger and assistants yesterday, arid a gang was detailed this morning. Measures to prevent the spread were CDmmencec at daybreak, and the report at mid-daj was that the fire was under control.