EXCITING FIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 75, 30 March 1939, Page 12

EXCITING FIGHT.

HOMESTEAD ABLAZE, i SETTLER'S LONE STRUGGLE. EXPLOSION OF DYNAMITE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NELSOX, this day. A disastrous fire which 'broke out in the Canaan Valley destroyed a large area of bush, the grassland and homestead of Mr. E. Sixtus, and all the buildings, including stable, sheds and haystacks, on Mr. J. Sixtus' property. When the fire took charge in the valley a farm employee managed to get out ofr help. He was in an exhausted condition when he fortunately met Messrs. D. Trewavas and R. Kerr, who were engaged in carting firewood. The two men made a hazardous journey through the bush, in constant danger of falling trees, and reached the home of Mr. O. J. Sixtus, where they found Mrs. Sixtus and the family, whom they helped to safety. Mr. Sixtus had left the house in order to try and drive sheep out of the valley, and anxiety was felt for his safety. Later Messrs. Kerr and Trewavas returned to the valley. A survey of the lire area led the men to the belief that Mr. J. Sixtus' home must have been destroyed. Thereupon they commenced a search for the owner. Returning down the smoke-covered valley, the men found Mr. Sixtus after midnijrht at his house in an exhausted condition following a long single-handed fight to •save the building. Mr. S:'xtus had given up all hope of saving his sheep, and when he returned home lie found his wife and children gone. While he fought the fire his mind was tortured concerning the fate of his family. He told an exciting story of how he dug a hole in the ground to enable him to get air. Taking a deep breath, he*would then rush with a bycket of water from the creek to the house. One shed contained gelignite, which exploded, blowing the building to atoms. The explosion was heard from the main road, about eight miles away. Mr. Sixtus was slightly injured by a piece of flying metal. Both Messrs. J. and E. Sixtus are heavy losers. The fire originated from burning being carried out by Mr. J. Sixtus during the day. [See earlier report on page 20.]