QUEENSTOWN FIRE CHECKED

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24152, 11 January 1944, Page 6

QUEENSTOWN FIRE CHECKED

♦ GRAVE THREAT TO TOWN

REMOVED

(P.A.) INVERCARGILL, January 10. The fire which threatened Queenstown was brought under control in the early hours of the morning after an all-night fight by bands of residents and visitors. It is now sweeping up the valley behind the power-house, but away from the town, and all danger is p&st Fire brigades from Invercargill, Dunedin, and Gore, and brigadesmen with equipment from Airowtown, Cromwell and Alexandra went to Queenstown to help. The Invercargill

and Dunedin brigades are still there, coping with the outbreak. The Deputy-Mayor (Mr J. S. Royds) said that the wind changed after 3 a.m. or all the brigades could not have held the fire. The flames had got into the trees at the edge of the camping ground. “That’s how close it was,” he added. ■“I wish to express the town’s gratitude for the prompt assistance of the various brigades," for at one stage it looked as if the whole place might be enveloped.” The bush along- the lakeside towards the Glenorchy road was destroyed but the two houses in the path of the fire were saved. No one was hurt, but it is estimated that 2000 acres, including an area of birch trees at the back of Ben Lomond, have been destroyed. The camping ground was evacuated but the campers are returning there after spending the night helping to fight the fire.