100 ACRES OF GRASS LAND BURNT

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24801, 15 February 1946, Page 3

100 ACRES OF GRASS LAND BURNT

FIRE AT LONGBEACH About 100 acres of grassland along the sea coast was burned off, and 25 acres of a 30-acre plantation destroyed when ’fire broke out on the property of Mr J. H. Grigg, of Longbeach. on Wednesday. The outbreak which occurred in the plantation was spread s y a northwesterly wind to gorse and pasture. Volunteer fire-fighters from Lowcliffe and Ealing were quickly on the scene, and by using wet sacks and stirrup pumps managed to bring the fire under control about midday. Aid was given by the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade’s trailer pump, and one engine belonging to the County Council. Some anxious times were experienced oy settlers because of the danger to homesteads and buildings if a southerly change set in. A call to a fire at Methven on Wednesday came at an awkward moment, most of the fire-fighting equipment of the town being in use at the time. A trailer pump was dispatched to the blaze outside the township, which was caused by a rubbish fire getting out of control. This was extinguished by the time the trailer arrived.