FURTHER PERIL EXPECTED

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 93, 13 January 1939, Page 9

FURTHER PERIL EXPECTED

Ominous Forecast In Victoria

BUSH FIRES STILL BURNING

Last Missing Men Emerge From Blazing Areas

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received January 12, 11.55 p.m.) MELBOURNE, January 12.

Though the bush fires are still burning in many parts of Victoria, the south wind kept them away from new areas. The forecast, however, is for two days of scorching north winds, which is expected renew the danger tomorrow.

No more deaths have been reported. The last missing men were found today. Fears for the safety of about 22 persons were relieved as, one by one, they emerged, many severely burnt and in the last stages of exhaustion, from the fire-swept areas. All had amazing stories to tell of escape from death. .Hundreds of families are homeless, their only (possessions being the charred clothing which they are wearing. In Rubicon alone 50 families, including more than 150 children, are destitute.

The Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, assisted by four daughters, a son and others, fought a scrub fire which threatened to destroy his home at Devonport. Great public sympathy is being shown for the victims, contributions of money pouring in to the relief fund. The “Argus” newspaper alone has raised £5OOO in three days since the appeal was opened. The lord mayor of Melbourne has accepted an oiler by The lord mayor of Sydney to open a fund to help sufferers.

TWELVE DEATHS FROM HEAT

Victorian Bush Fires Invade New South Wales

SYDNEY, January'l2.

Twelve deaths from the beat were reported in New South Wales country towns today, making 19 in two days. Inland towns are roasting and the inhabitants have had no relief for more than two weeks.

In some places in the far west temperatures''- soared to over 100 degrees for nearly a month. Pastures are burned up and domestic water supplies are extremely short. The Victorian bush fires spread into New South Wales today and claimed their first victim, William Underhill, aged 66, at Bega. His brother, J. Underhill, is secretary of the Associated Racing Clubs, Sydney.