BIG SCRUB FIRE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 110, 3 February 1941, Page 9

BIG SCRUB FIRE

Residential Area In Danger 200 MEN FIGHT FLAMES (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 2. An extensive fire broke out on Murray Aynsley Hill yesterday afternoon, and seriously threatened the residential area. The fire was fought by more than 200 fire fighters and, though outbuildings of the custodian’s house at Gleneig, a children’s health camp, were • destroyed, the fire was prevented from reaching the house itself. At 4.30 o’clock the outbreak was under control, but a watch was arranged for the rest of the night. The fire started in scrub on the east side of the hill, near Glenmore quarry, and quickly spread to the Gleneig property, formerly owned by Mr. C. M. Olliver and recently purchased as a site for a children’s health camp. The most serious damage was done when the fire swept through a plantation of pines and 400 to 500 trees were destroyed. The fire was arrested before it reached Rapaki Road. The wooden roof of the reservoir was burnt out, and the fire fighters had a terrific struggle to save the custodian’s house. All the outbuildings were gutted but the house itself was saved. The value of the Home Guard was made manifest, as many guardsmen turned out to augment the lighters already on the spot. During the afternoon an appeal was broadcast, and this brought a ready response. Helpers armed with beaters and shovels did valiant work, and by their efforts prevented the fire from spreading to the more thickly populated areas. Though it is outside tbe fire area, an engine from the Christchurch Fire Brigade went out, but was hampered in its operations by the lack of a good water supply.