FIRE ON PORT HILLS

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24797, 11 February 1946, Page 4

FIRE ON PORT HILLS

THREE ACRES OF GRASS BURNT A fire which started on the west side of Victoria Park about 5 p.m. yesterday and burned for two hours before beiijg brought under control, destroyed about three acres of grass. Gangs of volunteer fire-fighters were organised and their valiant efforts prevented widespread damage being done to trees and property. It is thought the fire was started by a carelessly dropped lighted match or cigarette butt, and the grass, being as ary as tinder, presented good food for the flames once they got a hold The fire was first noticed by two trampers who reported it to the custodian of Victoria Park, and, joined by other trampers, they formed a volunteer fire brigade which did noble work until it was later reinforced by Sy’ fightmg g3ngS brought from the

Mr M. J. Barnett, superintendent of parks and reserves, said the damage was extensive, but it would have been a great deal worse had a high wind been blowing and had not ready assistance been given by trampers and other volunteer fire-fighters. The road also acted as a fire-break. “These men did a wonderful job of work,” said Mr Harnett to a representative of “The Press last evening, “especially two returned soldiers in uniform—one wearing sergeant’s stripes—who got i e , thick of things and h a U ri Bh a el « ssl y- of these men nad a shirt ruined, but both refused to give their names when I asked for them with the idea of handing them some recompense for their labours.” Mr Barnett said this fire should notice of trampers and P l ® ll fckers the great danger of starting fires and the .speed at which they could spread. A lighted match or a carelessly thrown cigarette might of taman°lite damage ’ eVen ‘° loss

WARNING BY THE HON. C. F. SKINNER

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 10 Because of the dry state of the country at present, it is of the utmost importance that scrub cutters, motorists picnickers, and everyone else should take every precaution to avoid being careless with fires and cigarettes, said the Commissioner of State Forests (the Hon. C. F. Skinner) on Saturday. He said experts agreed that a very large percentage of fires that occurred were man-made and it was the duty of all not to create any fire hazard.