SCRUB FIRE NEAR AUCKLAND

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25740, 28 February 1949, Page 6

SCRUB FIRE NEAR AUCKLAND

AIRMEN’S PROMPT ACTION (P.A.) AUCKLAND, February 27. A tall plume of greyish white smoke billowing over Redvale, about 20 miles north of Auckland, this afternoon was caused by an extensive scrub and grass fire. It was still burning steadily at a late hour to-night. A thin line of flame fanned by a steady breeze crept slowly forward through gorse and long grass. It left a blackened path many hundreds of yards wide in its wake. .As night fell the glare of the flames made an impressive picture against the smoke. The fire was seen about 3 p.m. from Whenuapai by Flying Officer E. W. Ziesler and Flight Lieutenant E. P. Williams, who drove to the scene and found a man and two women attempting to extinguish an extensive blaze. Back at the camp, with the Commanding Officer's permission, the two officers turned out two crash tenders, a Territorial Air Force van, and another van. These vehicles took about 15 men to the fire. Reinforcements were taken later. The fire was subsequently reported to be under control and merely smouldering, and the men returned to Whenuapai shortly after 6.50 p.m.