THE NORSEWOOD FIRE A MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 249, 24 March 1888, Page 7

THE NORSEWOOD FIRE A MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.

Havilk, March 22. Among the incidents related of i<he narrow escapes in the bush fire 3 is the following" remarkable experience : — Three- setfcleis 5 named J. and C. Bergersen and Borkham, of Makaretu, were so intent upon sa\ingtheir property when the fire eamo down upon them, that they did not notice they w.ere being walled in by lire. They used up all the water they had aboub them, threw some milk that stood in a bucket on the ilames, and turned to fly. Too late ! The tire hemmed them in on every hand, and though the creek was only two chains away they could not reach it. Some neighbours came and tried to help them ; but the fire and binoke beat them back, and it really seemed as if the brothers must be burned to death. They strove ta cover their bodies with earth, and kept their faces close to the ground foy a breath of air. At last the heat became- so intolerable that in another ten minutes they must have succumbed ; but at this critical juncture the rain came on and fell in torrents, and the brothers were saved. They were both quite blind next morning, but had quite recovered yesterday. Christciiurci], March 22. A committee has been formed here to obtain subscriptions for the relief of the sufferers by the Norsewood fire. Mr F. E. Wright. Swedish Vice-C l onsui, is chaiiman, and Mr Skog, Danish Vico-Con&ul, treasurer. £50 were subscribed this morning.