Scrub Fire Halted Near New Homes

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31587, 26 January 1968, Page 1

Scrub Fire Halted Near New Homes

Firemen, working in the dark and hampered by high winds, prevented a fire damaging a line of new houses on the south-western side of Shortland Street last evening.

The fire was on a strip of Drainage Board land between a narrow belt of trees bordering Cuthberts Green and the

rear of the Shortland Street houses. “I was a bit worried,” said Mr G. W. Forsyth, of Shortland Street. “The firemen made a good save and I was relieved when they got it but. “There was a good blaze for a while but they got it under control quickly, especially considering the wind was blowing the fire right on to the plantation.” Mr P. B. Scollard, also of Shortland Street, agreed that the firemen had made a good save. The fire caused no damage to the properties and though it burnt some pine needles in the plantation none of the large trees caught alight. The firemen had the fire extinguished about threequarters of an hour after they were called. They stood by for several hours to ensure that it did not flare up again. At the height of the fire residents helped the firemen to move hoses into position. The call was received at 8.7 p.m. Two units from Woolston and one from New Brighton attended.