GRASS FIRE AT PICTON

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22676, 3 April 1939, Page 6

GRASS FIRE AT PICTON

MANY ACRES SWEPT

[From Our Own Reporter.]

BLENHEIM, April 1.

Many acres of hillsides towards the back of Picton were swept yesterday afternoon by a grass fire which, fanned by a north-easterly wind, for some time defied strenuous efforts by the Picton Fire Brigade and many residents. On several occasions the fire threatened houses and property pn the outskirts of the town itself. Its spread was not controlled until late in the afternoon. By then it had covered an area practically from the edge of the 'hospital grounds to a little distance above the motor camp at Essons Valley. The fire began when dry grass near a property in Otago street caught fire. Fanned by the strong breeze, the fire was soon well away. The fire brigade turned out promptly, and was willingly assisted by many residents. Two igads of hose were run out from Wellington street and Taranaki street, and the fire web kept away from buildings nearby. The wind, however, took the flames up the hillsides, where dry grass and gorse caught fire to such an extent that it was impossible to do much more than try to prevent the flames spreading. For some time the direction of the fire was towards the hospital grounds,, but it was stopped on the edge of the reserve. It then went away again in the direction of Essons Valley, and the residence of Mr L. McManaway, in Wellington street, was saved with great difficulty. However, the fire encroached on the convent reserve, and a valuable plantation of wattle trees was totally destroyed. The hillside on the eastern side of the railway line provided fresh fuel to the fire, which swept to Essons Valley. Fortunately it was some distance above the motor camp when it was controlled.