THE NEW BRIGHTON FIRE

Evening Star, Issue 14511, 1 November 1910, Page 6

THE NEW BRIGHTON FIRE

HOUSES AND) TENT’S DESTROYED. THE TOWNSHIP NARROWLY ESCAPES. [Special to the Star.] CHRISTCHURCH, November 1. The outbreak of fire among tho lupins and plantations of New Brighton yesterday was of a serious character. It was fanned by a strong nor’-wester, and raged throughout the dry grass and undergrowth, carrying away everything in front of it with astonishing rapidity The fire grew as it progressed, and rushing into several plantations of pine trees found fuel which'converted it into a great conflagration. It was first observed at about five o’clock in tho morning, about four miles north of the township. Tho heavy growth of lupins which extended along tho sea front and over the sandhills formed a vehicle for the rapid progress of tho flames, and the vegetation which formerly covered tho sandhills to tho north of the township, and formed some protection for tho residential areas from the drifting sand, was completely consumed.

The fire did not present an alarm ins; appearance until the morning was well advanced, although among the campers’ residences, built in timber and canvas, muck damage was done. Tho luxuriant growth of pines in proximity to the cottages and tents carried the'fire into the properties, and, virtually all tho tents were destroyed. The'flames first threatened to invade the township of New Brighton at about 11 a.m., at a point near the junction 0,1 the old Bunvood tramline with the road on the western boundary of the domain. There are a number of week end bungalows along the tram line, and the occupants of these first got their furniture out on to tho road, and then prepared to beat out the flames. The fire was not long in making its appearance. Heralded by a dense volume of copper-hued smoke, it burst through the lupins and scrub, and blazed furiously in a small grove of pine trees near tho junction of the two roads. Blazing clumps of pine needles blown by tho wind carried the fire to the scrub surrounding a bungalow, the owners of which, assisted by a number of willing helpers, had a hard battle to save the buildings, but ultimately succeeded in doing so. Ihe fiio then caught tho pine trees on the northern side of the domain and spread quickly down upon the borough in a direct lino with Nelson street. Tins also threatened the whole of tho houses in Lonsdale street, which runs at right angles with Nelson street, and the residents universally commenced to get their household belonging out of their dwellings. Many chartered oonverancos. and remoyed their valuables to tho houses of friends in other pails of the borough. , , r . At noon, and for a couple of hours after, tho scene in Lonsdale street was a ueird one Tho atmosphere was yellow, vast clouds of smoke rendered everything md.sUnci, ynd everywhere were heaped piles of furniture thrown pell mcll into the road. I’ianos jostled pots and pans, and everywhere there was confusion. The local me brigade, with assistance from tho city, were able to effect a great deal, however, and by evening the danger had been averted. It seems that about eight buildings, mostly small, have boon destroyed, in audition. to tents. The loss in many instances has been heavy. DETAILS OF THE DAMAGE DONE. [Pnn United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, November 1. A survey of the scene of tho tiro at New Brighton this morning impresses ono with tho small amount of damage compared with tho magnitude of tho danger. The houses destroyed were small whares used as summer residences. Mr A. C. Duff is apparently tho worst sufferer. Ho had two huts, 'both nicely furnished, and ho and Mrs Duff and the children lost all their clothing. , . ... The fire split in an eccentric fashion when travelling through the lupins, leaving small green islands, and a division of this kind save! one large residence that was supposed to have been destroyed. Yesterday is was impossible to say what had happened, because no ono cared to penetrate far into tho smoke that covered the burnt area. The fire-fighters had a strenuous time on tho edge of the' settled portion of the borough, and at the Domain one section werebeating out the flames of the burning bushes, while another shovelled the sand over the low scrub. The whares destroyed were owned by Messrs A. G. Duff, C< S. Brook, J. J. Cornwall, A. R. Blank Griffon, and Clif--1 ford. Mr W. Marriott lost two sheds containing harness and goods, and Mr Allan Hopkins his conservatory, outhouses, and plantations, his loss being about £2OO. Mr Duff had £SO on the buildings, but I apparently there were no other insurances.