Vast Forest Fires

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 964, 6 May 1930, Page 9

Vast Forest Fires

DESTRUCTION TRAIL IN U.S.A. Two Villages Destroyed MEN FIGHT FLAMES IN NINE STATES United P. 4. Telegraph—Copyright Received 11.50 a.m. NEW YORK, Monday. WIDESPREAD portions of the eastern States of America are threatened by forest tires. The damage to property is great. Farms, homes, crops and timber have been destroyed. , Weary crews are fighting the fires in nine States, and 52,000 acres have been razed.

Reports circulated state that the New Jersey pine forests are swept by 22 disastrous new fires from the scattered embers of yesterday’s conflagrations.

The damage is estimated at more than £1,000,000.

Leaving destruction in Its track in Nashua the fire has crossed the river and, swept on by high winds, enveloped the timberland on the other side of the city.

Two villages are destroyed and towns are menaced.

Many men were injured in battling the flames.

In New York City the fire brigades were busy all day dealing with suburban fires, which caused enormous, damage. The fires are still burning in several sections, where communications have been dislocated. More damage is certain, for as soon as the fire-fighting apparatus reaches the scene of one fire another district calls for immediate help.

The weather conditions continue particularly bad in the burning areas. Many people have fled from their homes to places of safety. Thousands of men and boys are fighting the flames.

The districts of Long Island, Central New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts are also involved in fires.

Staten Island, New York, was the scene of numerous fires and 75 bungalows were destroyed in one section. In another 700 buildings were on fire at once.

The greatest damage was done at Nashua, New Hampshire. Flames swept through the city and destroyed 200 residences, three large industrial plants and three churches. Two thousand people were left homeless. Three women were killed at Nashua, where the police and State constabulary are guarding against looting. The Red Cross is aiding the homeless. The south-eastern section of the city is a mass of smouldering ruins.

Eight New York City fire brigades were rushed to the island by ferry, while fire-boats aided from the water. Residents who had just arirved for the summer saw all their property ruined.

Especially had fires are now reported at Lakewood, New Jersey, Amityville and Long Island.