BUSH FIRE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18924, 12 February 1927, Page 15

BUSH FIRE.

♦ SERIOUS OUTBREAK IN VICTORIA ibt cafi.k-;;:kss Assouviw-eoiYniGHT.' (AUSTRALIAN AXI) SZ. CABLE ASSOCIATION.! (Received February 11th. S.oO p.m.) MELBOURNE, February 11. A bush lire which broke out at the Kangaroo grounds in th* Daiidcnong ranges swept the whole of the wattle country embracing the Warraiidyte. A Federal timber mill eighteen miles from Warburton was destroved. Every available man in the district is engaged in fighting the fire, which is now advancing on a village north of Croy<rJti at the loot ol Mount Dandelions. TOWN THREATENED WITH DESTRUCTION. (Received February 11th, 10.-10 p.m.) MELBOURNE. February 11. Btish fires are reported at Bacchus Marsh, and the fear is expressed that the flames may reach the Grampians, where the country is heavily wooded. Fortv men have been sent from the naval base ut Crib Point to fight the flames at Rcdhill, where the railway station is surrounded. The largest grass lires for years arc reported from Sunhury and are still spreading, several homes being threatened. The fire is raging fiercely towards Qtieenstorr/i. Urgent messages to the Heidelberg .fire brigade slated that if help was not forthcoming immediately the town would he wiped out.

FARMER AND CHILDREN PERISH IN FLAMES. (Received February 12th, 1.5 a.m.)' . .MELBOURNE, February 11. Bush tiros are increasing, in Victoria, in Ihe Cainpcrdown district a share fanner, L. fjp?cd, with two sons, ."igeil two and four, wore burned to death. The tire advanced on a front of, several miles in bracken and fern, and the unfortunate vii'thns had no avenue of escape. Several homes were destroyed. Melbourne is practically encircled by flames. The Daudenong ranges are enveloped in smoke. The fires burned to within 100 yards of Queenstown, which is now regarded as safe. Hundreds.of slicc'p and cattle perished.