GREAT DAMAGE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 41, 27 November 1937, Page 7

GREAT DAMAGE

BUSH FIRES IN VICTORIA.

MACEDON TOWNSHIP IN DANGER. COLLAPSE OF FIRE-FIGHTERS^. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Dav, 11.25 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. * Great damage was done by a bush fire which swept through the forests on a six-mile front near Macedon, and is spreading rapidly. At an early hour this morning the Upper Macedon township was threatened. When a strong wind sprang up flames, tore through the thick scrub toward the township. Over 200 volunteers are fighting the fire, which at 2 o’clock this morning threatened magnificent homes on Mount Macedon, including that of Mr R. G. Menzies (Attorney-General). Mrs Menzies and four children abandoned their home and sought refuge in the Macedon golf-house. A number of fire-fighters collapsed and were carried to safety. One worn ah was rescued with her clothes alight.

SUPPOSED DELIBERATE ORIGIN.

FLAMES WHIPPED UP BY WIND

(Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day

It was feared this morning that Upper Macedon was faced with total destruction if the strong wind continued. Mr Menzies’ family, including Mrs Menzies and her sister, evacuated the house in their night attire. The district forest superintendent said that in his opinion the fire near Macedon had been started deliberately; It was the practice of some persons to set fire to portions of the forest so that the young grass which followed the fire would provide good grazing. The first, which started at noon on Thursday, did not cause serious alarm until yesterday, when fres'ieniug win .1 whipped up the flames.