BLAZING BUSH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 234, 3 October 1935, Page 13

BLAZING BUSH.

[WIDESPREAD DAMAGE.

MANY BUILDINGS DESTROYED.

HOSPITAL EVACUATED

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, Wednesday,

Probably tlie most extensive and destructive bush fire in the history of South Otago has been raging to-day and this evening in the Catlins district, extending from Eomaliapa in. the north to Tahakopa in the south, a distance of over 30 miles. Dairying and sawmilliug are the chief industries and the fire lias struck a severe blow at the district, large numbers or stock being killed and much valuable timber, both standing and cut, being destroyed. The information available to-night indicated that there lias been 110 loss of life, but several families-, from Puketiro, a small settlement on the MacLennan River, have been brought into Owaka, out of the worst part of the .danger zone. The sawmills at MacLennan, Tahakopa arid Stewarts were totally destroyed, also the school at Puketiro and the outbuildings of farms throughout the district. Railway Property Threatened. The fire started yesterday afternoon, but did not assume dangerous proportions until this afternoon, when the wind turned to the south and became very strong. Telephone communication was cut off when the fire was at its worst about seven o'clock this evening, but temporary repairs have been effected. Railway property on the Catlins branch was endangered and a breakdown gang was held in readiness for a quick trip, but at a late hour it was not expected that their services would be necessary. The full extent of the damage to property and stock cannot be estimated until the fire burns out.

Dunodin to-night is surrounded on the northern sides by a semi-circle of fires. From the upper slopes of Flagstaff, a hill overlooking the city, five fires can be seen raging in different directions. The only centre of real danger is from an outbreak at present raging behind Asliburn Hall, a mental hospital, and a large force of firemen is concentrated nt the seat of danger. A powerful pump has been installed alongside a creek, where a temporary dam has been erected, and firemen are fighting the flames. Although no immediate danger is apparent, all the patients at the hospital, as a precaution, have been removed.