FIRE IN SCRUB

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 75, 9 January 1941, Page 6

FIRE IN SCRUB

LARGE AREA BURNT AT RAKAIA.

SOME HOUSES ENDANGERED.

BREAKS OUT AGAIN TO-DAY. An easterly wind fanned a fire which started in broom and gorse above the southern side of the Rakaia railway bridge between two and three o’clock yesterday afternoon. The fire spread towards the township and Domain, threatening some houses, the school property, and a large bluegum plantation owned by the South Rakaia Domain Board.

Large numbers of men from the district assembled and fought the flames, confining them to the riverbed area, by back-firing (burning off in front of the fire). The Ashburton County Council’s fire-fighting plant was sent out, but the absence of water races nearby prevented it from being used. By about 4.30 the flames had been extinguished and the area was considered to be safe.

A strong north-west wind was blowing at Rakaia to-day and a report received about noon was to the effect that the fire had broken out again. A report at three o’clock this afternoon stated that the fire had blazed up again in the same area as yesterday. It was again being confined to the riverbed and an attempt was shortly to be made to put water in it. Then© was again ,a willing band of firefighters. Another large blaze in the direction of Dunsandel could be seen from Rakaia.