DESTRUCTION OF FIREWOOD

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22304, 19 January 1938, Page 4

DESTRUCTION OF FIREWOOD

* OUTBREAK IN LAGMHOR PLANTATION 250 CORDS LOST BY MERCHANTS Fire in a plantation at Lagmhor. owned by the Ashburton County Council, during the week-end, destroyed 250 cords of firewood, valued at about £3BO. The plantation had been sold some time previously by the county council to Reese Brothers, Ltd., of Christchurch. ■ and it is understood that the loss is covered by insurance. The fire broke out apparently about 3.30 p.m. on Saturday, but as there was no watchman on the property at the time the alarm was not given to the county inspector tMr E. N. Johnson) until 6 p.m. The council men were immediately summoned and with the assistance of the council’s plant from Allenton, fought the fire until late in the evening. It was not possible to do much other than prevent the fire from spreading on Saturday night. On Sunday, shortly after midday, extra water was diverted to the scene of the fire, from the council’s water races and it was finally subdued about 1.30 On Monday morning. Altogether about 113 cords of firewood were saved. The damage apart frpm the destroyed firewood was confined mostly to second growth and debris, which covers the area of about 30 acres, which had been cut out. On Monday afternoon when Mr Johnson visited the scene there were no further signs of danger of fire. This is the second time within two months that fire has occurred in this area.