AUCKLAND DISTRICT FIRES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 24 January 1928, Page 5

AUCKLAND DISTRICT FIRES.

FARM PROPERTY THREATENED

(BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 23.

A fierce fire raging over the hills between Kaukapakapa and Waimauku has destroyed some hundreds of acres or scrub and green bush and is rapidly approaching the closer settlement in the Waikoukou Valley. The smoke is visible for miles around. The damage so far is. confined to pastures and fences, the farmers haying been able to remove their stock to safety. HASTY ESCAPE'S. AUCKLAND, Jan. 23. Mrs L. Hill, of Mangere, and two children who were with her, had a very lucky escape when their home was burnt to the . ground on Saturday morning. Mr Hill was away at the time and Mrs Hill was alone in the house with her small nephew and niece. When awakened by the crackling of the fire she had only time to save herself and the two children. The house was soon ablaze and, despite the efforts of volunteer fire-fight-ers, it was completely razed to the ground,. None of the furniture nor personal effects were saved. The house which was a wooden one of four rooms and a kitchenette, was owned and occupied by Mr Hill. Shortly before one o’clock this afternoon the Avondale Fire Brigade was summoned to attend an outbreak that occurred in a fiveroomed wooden dwelling in Willow Avenue, Avondale, owned, and occupied by Mr s Chaffe. The'building was completely gutted. The house and contents were insured in the South* British Office.