STORM IN N.S.W.

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 12, 9 October 1928, Page 11

STORM IN N.S.W.

DAMAGE IN SYDNEY ESTIMATED AT A MILLION BUSH FIRES IN MANY PLACES FLOODS FEARED TN SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (United Press Association.— By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Sydney, October 8. Yesterday’s fierce, hot gale, which raged for seven hours, reached a maximum velocity of GO miles an hour, and the temperature in Sydney was 98 degrees.

Additional week-end cottages destroyed at Woy Woy bring the total to forty-five. Reports arc arriving that many people were injured, but there were no deaths.

(Rec. October 8, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, October 8.

The damage resulting from yesterday’s cyclone in Sydney and environs is estimated at not less than one million sterling. Reports of destruction on a lesser scale are coming from all centres between Newcastle and Gabo. Between 200 and 300 men and women have been rendered idle by the paper mills fire at Lane Cove, which died out in a lurid blaze of greenish yellow flames late in the evening, when the flames reached a building In which chlorine, sulphuric acid, and other chemicals were stored, with a series of brilliant explosions. The shed collapsed and the firemen nearby found themselves unable to she owing to the effect on their eyes of the liberated chlorine gas. The city lire engines were taken up-river on punts and assisted to fight a losing battle against the conflagration. Bush fires occurred in many places. A number of dwellings were destroyed by Are or gale, while garages and sheds were levelled in all directions. In the southern districts floods are reported to be imminent as the rivers are rising. Settlers on the riverflats at Albury have been warned and stock are being removed to high ground. The Goulburn River was 15 feet above normal this morning at Seymour. It is expected that a portion of the town will be submerged to-night. Thousands of rabbits and many snakes have been drowned. STARTLING EXPERIENCE (Rec. October 8, 11.5 p.m.) Sydney, October 8. A poultry farmer named Williams had a startling experience at the height of the storm at Rydalmere. He was endeavouring to secure the iron roof of a henhouse when an abnormal gust lifted the whole roof with the man riding on it and carried it over another shed, where it crashed against a tree. Williams was taken to hospital with a broken arm and a dislocated shoulder.