EXTENSIVE GRASS FIRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 April 1939, Page 2

EXTENSIVE GRASS FIRE

FOUR MARLBOROUGH SHEEPRUNS SWEPT. ALL-NIGHT FIGHT WITH FLAMES. x (By Telegraph—Press Association.) BLENHEIM, April 18. Four sheepruns at Hillersden, thirtyfive miles from Blenheim, were involved, at least two seriously, in a grass fire which broke away yesterday afternoon and spread with 1 alarming rapidity. Fortunately'the outbreak was practically entirely confined to the hills but settlers spent-an anxious night fighting the flames to prevent them coming down on to the flats, where grave damage could have been caused. They Were helped considerably by a change in wind which turned in the evening to the south and tended to blow the blaze back to the hills. This morning weary fire-fighters returned from an all-night battle to report that their effort was successful and the fire extinguished. As far as can be ascertained, the fire broke away on the Stanhope property occupied by Mr R. B. McLennan at about mid-day yesterday but did not assume serious proportions till later in the afternoon. Settlers were not long in gathering but by the time they concentrated on the hills the wind had swept the fire along through the gullies and over ridges from Stanhope to Wantwood, owned by Mr G. Neville and Hartley Hills, owned by Mr F. L. Murray. At the same time it spread in the opposite direction from Stanhope towards Mr J. Barry’s property slightly to the north. At one stage the fire had a front, of about four miles and extended in from the hills for about a mile. Much of the area, however, consists of gullies so that the acreage of actual pasture destroyed may not exceed fifteen hundred. There is no information regarding stock losses but there is a distinct probability that these may be severe. . ..