BUSHFIRE IN NORTH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 128, 15 March 1950, Page 2

BUSHFIRE IN NORTH

HOMESTEAD DESTROYED (P.A.) AUCKLAND, March 14. A homestead and 12 square miles of bush around Pukenui, 28 miles north of Kaitaia, were destroyed by a bush fire this afternoon. The fire, which had been burning for more than two weeks, was fanned by a strong north-west wind into a roaring blaze which swept out of control through the country area. The Kaitaia Auxiliary Fire Brigade, with a trailer pump, fought to save more than a dozen buildings in Pukenui and a wooden bridge at Motutangi, about four miles south of the township. If the bridge had been destroyed the whole of the Far North would have been cut off from the rest of New Zealand. The homestead which was razed belonged to Mr G. Brookfield, who was away with his family at the time. The house was on the opposite side of the road from the other buildings, and was surrounded by fire. The fire is still burning, although rain fell this afternoon.. Peat and scrub fires are.burning in many parts of Northland.