Widespread Grass Fires

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30678, 18 February 1965, Page 1

Widespread Grass Fires

Grass fires between the Sign of the Kiwi and Victoria Park, in Rapaki road and on Glenelg spur, and along the railway line between Bryndwr and Rangiora kept firemen, workers from several councils, and volunteers hot and busy yesterday afternoon and evening.

A strong north-west wind made the fires difficult to control, and fighters worked for several hours to contain them and make sure they were out.

At 1.27 p.m., the Christchurch Fire Brigade was called to a grass fire on the Cashmere estate below the road from the Sign Of the Takahe to the Sign of the Kiwi and about 200 yards from the Sign of the Kiwi. Three engines from the Sydenham and Headquarters stations turned out. The fire had started in four places, from below the Sign of the Kiwi to just above Victoria Park. The police were notified because firemen considered the fires might have been started deliberately. Water Carried Heathcote County Council workmen and a City Council water tender were called out. Water had to be carried from the Sign of the Takahe to fight the fires. The tinder-dry grass burned fiercely, and one fire, near Victoria Park, jumped the road and threatened young trees in the park. The spasmodic water supply handicapped firemen, and it was after 6 p.m. before all firemen were back at their stations. About 2.30 p.m., the smoke across the road was so dense that traffic was halted.

Truck drivers taking concrete to the site of the foundation for the television transmitting mast on Sugarloaf Hill could not get through. One driver who attempted to drive through the smoke had to reverse because he was choking. The trucks used the Summit road for about two hours. / Several acres of grass was burned, but no trees or property were damaged. Two of the fires flared up in minor outbreaks about 8 p.m. but were put out. Sparks From Engine

Sparks from the engine of a Christchurch-Rangiora train

caused a series of grass fires along the railway line between Bryndwr and Southbrook.

St. Albans firemen put out a grass fire at the Bryndwr railway station, and Headquarters firemen dealt with another off Canberra place and a third at the Belfast railway station. Another call, to the Chaney’s siding, was received, but the fire was out when the firemen arrived. St. Albans firemen also put out a fire beside the line near Radcliff road, Belfast. The Kaiapoi Volunteer Brigade received five calls between 5 p.m. and 6.15 p.m. The first was to a rubbish and grass fire at the back of the North Canterbury Freezing

Company’s works. Then came a call to a rubbish fire on the Waimakariri river stopbank at Clarkville. North Canterbury Catchment Board and Eyre County Council fire tenders were called out. Another call came to a grass fire along the railway line at Fuller street, Kaiapoi, then a call to a grass fire on the railway line behind the freezing works, and finally a call to a burning sleeper on the line near Peraki street. Later, the Woodend and Rangiora Volunteer Brigades were called to fires along the railway line between Kaiapoi and Rangiora. Fire on Hill

Meanwhile, the Christchurch Fire Brigade had re-

ceived a call at 6 p.m. to a grass fire near Rapaki road and Montgomery terrace. The fire, believed to have been started by children, burned to within 30 feet of the back fence of Mr D. Morgan, in Rapaki road. Mr Morgan and his neighbours fought the fire. Then it swept up the hill towards the Glenelg Health Camp. All available Heathcote County Council workmen were called out to assist firemen on three engines from the Sydenham and Woolston stations. About 30 volunteers from the area assisted.

The fire was still flaring in small patches three hours later, but no damage was caused to property.