FIRE AT FOUR MILE BAY

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 4, 6 February 1952, Page 4

FIRE AT FOUR MILE BAY

Careless Campers Responsible [Saturday, Feb. 2.] An unextinguished camp-fire at Four Mile Bay caused a spectacular and dangerous scrub fire shortly before 1 p.m. today. The outbreak was reported by two different observers within a few minutes, Miss Margaret V edder and Mr Wilson. The alarm was sounded and both engines of the Taupo V olunteer Fire Brigade were quickly on the scene. Under Superintendent M. H. Clark the Brigade's efforts were directed toward preventing the fire from crossing the main Taupo-Tokaanu road. All available hose was run out along the road from the trailer pump at the Four Mile beach. Valuable help was provided by Messrs Sinclair and Vates, and Mr R. W. Booth, whose water tank trucks were on the spot before the pump was in action., Fanned by a fresh norwest wind the flames swept up the gully from a recently vacated camp site and then southward along the road. The strenuous efforts of the firemen prevented the fire from crossing the road except at two points and at both these the flames were quickly extinguished. he brigade's prompt action succeeded in confining . the fire between the main road and the Lake and stopped it southward spread at the Quarry Road which runs toward the Lake Beach from the northern end of the W aitahanui . Straight. Mr J. Story, Chairman of the Taupo Fire Committee, had reported the fire to Mr M. Weeks, at the N.Z. Forest Service Headquarters at Waimiha, and Mr Weekes despatched a party of Forest Service men to take over the job of patrolling the fire. A Forest Service engine arrived about five p.m. to assist the patrol party. Had the brigade not stopped the fire at the main road it would have swept across scrub country to the great State Forest area east of Waitahanui. Messrs J. Story and C. Vedder discovered that the fire had started from a camp fire that had been left unextinguished. A length of 4 x 2 rimu timber had actually been left on the fire and was still alight. It may be possible to trace the person responsible from certain evidence found on the spot. Forest Service men under Mr Weeks were patrolling the area this evening. The following members of the Fire Brigade under Supt. Clark were responsible for bringing the fire under control: — V. Wilson, First Foreman; K. C. Russell, Second Foreman; H. Waterhouse, First Fireman; J. Woodward, Secretary; Firemen J. O'Toole, R. Douglas, D. Willis, F. Mahanga, N. George, K. Hurae, L. Smith, M. Orr, K. East, and Messengers R. George, E. Smith and J. Dunn.