FIERCE GRASS FIRE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20738, 23 February 1939, Page 14

FIERCE GRASS FIRE

OLD HOMESTEAD SAVED PINE PLANTATION MENACED (By Telegraph —Proas Association) BLENHEIM, Wednesday' Gne of Marlborough’s most substantial homesteads, that, of the j Vavasours of Ugbrooke, was menaced [yesterday afternoon when a grass fire at Bashwood, which swept 3000 acres in the morning, broke out afresh about 3 o’clock. After being fought for four hours by 150 men during the morning the fire was thought to he under control by 1.30, but a change in the direction of a strong wind carried it inln extensive pine plantations near the Ugbrooke homestead, which was in ‘serious d inger for a considerable lime. The flames reached the laundry and a small storeroom which wore destroyed, but through the efforts of a burk'd brigade, which gathered on the roof, the homestead 1 itself was saved. Thr situation was so serious that furniture and valuables in the homestead were shifted to safety. There were some losses of stock both on Ugbrooke and on the properly of Mr At. H. Costello, but they are not thought to be serious. The plantations were again threatened last night when Hie wind changed to the south, hut again the efforts of a large hand of tire fighters were successful. The tire was still smouldering this morning.