BATTLE WITH FIRE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 28, 3 February 1941, Page 4

BATTLE WITH FIRE

BLAZING HILLSIDE

HOtilE GUARD PARTICIPATES

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, February 2,

An extensive fire broke out on the 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 Glenelg, 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 Glenelg property, formerly owned by Mr. C. M. Ollivier, was recently purchased as a site for the health camp. The most serious damage was the destruction of a plantation of 400 to 500 pine trees. The wooden roof of the reservoir was burnt out, and the fire-fighters had a terrific struggle to save the custodian's house. The value of the Home Guard was made manifest, as many guardsmen turned out to augment the fighters. During the afternoon an appeal was broadcast, and this brought a ready response. Helpers armed with bearers and shovels did valiant work, and by their efforts prevented the fire from spreading to the more thickly populated areas. Though it is outside the 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.