FIRE TRAGEDY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 January 1939, Page 5

FIRE TRAGEDY

FORESTRY OFFICIALS BURNED TO DEATH OVERWHELMED IN VICTORIAN BUSH BLAZE. — WOMEN AND CHILDREN RESCUED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. MELBOURNE, January 9. Rescue parties today brought 20 women and children to safety from the bush-fire area at Erica. Their plight was extremely perilous, the whole of their belongings being burnt. They spent a night of terror.

Two forestry officials, Charles Denby, aged 55. and John Darling, aged 31. were burnt to death at Toolangi, when a change of; wind carried the fire in their direction, overwhelming them. Mr. Denby lost his life while trying to warn Mr. Darling that he was in danger. Several bush homes were destroyed in the Glendale timber mills district. NIGHT OF TERROR DESPERATE BATTLE AGAINST FLAMES. FEARS .THAT WORST IS NOT YET OVER. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. It is now estimated that 112 homes have been destroyed by the fires, which are still raging. A forecast of more hot weather, with north winds, has aroused grave fears that the worst is not yet over. Members of several mill families, whose fate was unknown yesterday, were found later safe, sheltering in dugouts amid the blazing country. Two mills are now blackened ruins, and the mill settlements have been swept away. People in towns and villages in the affected areas spent a night of terror, all available men battling desperately with the advancing flames. Near Erica, a party spent four hours in a creek, while flames roared overhead.

Of the homes burnt 45 were at the Dromana seaside resort, 40 miles from Melbourne. Many of them were costly residences, including one which belonged to the Rev T. C. Rentoul, Director of the Methodist Inland Mission. Last night whole hillsides of Victoria’s mountain country were ablaze beyond control. Mount Bogang, the highest point in the State, is like a blazing torch.

RELIEF APPEAL. GOVERNOR AND LORD MAYOR OPEN FUND. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. MELBOURNE, January 9. The only deaths reported are those of the two forestry officers, Messrs Denby and Darling. A State-wide appeal for relief of the victims has been opened by the Governor of Victoria, Lord Huntingfield, who gave £25. • The Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Mr A. W. Cole’s, and Mrs Coles each gave £2O. The chairman of the forests commission today blames the carelessness of settlers in burning off for the fires.

P. Eastwood, 5 Perry Street, is Chief Agent for General Accident and Fire Assurance Corporation. Ltd. (Inc. in Scotland).*