BUSH FIRES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 92, 12 January 1929, Page 9

BUSH FIRES

DEVASTATING SOUTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES

FARMS AND TOWNSHIPS SWEPT

Sydney, January 11

The bush fires are now devastating the southern districts of the State. A great fire at Whipstick destroyed seven houses and a wattle bark treatment plant valued at £30,000. The schoolhouse was the only building in the village that survived the flames. Several farms at Lochiel were reduced to ruins. At Numbagga, the schoolhouse, the teacher’s residence, and the post office were destroyed, and the occupants were forced to flee for their lives. Thousands of acres of grass and many miles of fencing were demolished, and many stock perished. In some centres the fire-fighters have been working ceaselessly for two days and nights endeavouring to check the fires. The flames in parts of the ruined areas reached 100 ft. Extensive fires have also occurred in the suburbs of Sydney.