SECOND FIRE AT WAIKUKU

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29367, 21 November 1960, Page 16

SECOND FIRE AT WAIKUKU

Serious Blaze Averted A second outbreak of fire at Waikuku beach this season—and one that could have been serious —was confined yesterday as the result of prompt action by the caretaker of the 'beach domain (Mr T. Sykes), beach residents, and picnickers. Seeing smoke rising from the pine plantation alongside the lagoon. Mr Sykes rushed to the scene with the emergency tanker. Support was quickly given by residents and picnickers, who tore branches from trees to beat out the flames. Mrs Sykes alerted the Rangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade as a precautionary measure. The fire started in pine needles in the camping area, said Mr Sykes. If the Are had spread to the trees its control would have been beyond the resources of those at the beach. The prompt action of those at the beach had the fire out before the brigade arrived, bringing its recently commissioned new engine to its first fire. The cause of the fire was not known, said Mr Sykes, who emphasised the serious fire risk existing at the beach. "People do not realise the danger.” he said. “When I ask them to put out their camp fires they think I’m a bit of a nark. By paying 6d for hot water they could avoid the risk of damage to thousands of pounds worth of property, as well as saving fire-fighters considerable inconvenience. Once a fire sained a firm hold it could sweep through the length of the plantation fronting the beach.”