FIERCE FIRES RAGING

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 31 January 1929, Page 9

FIERCE FIRES RAGING

j IN COLLIERIES AND BUSH. £IO,OOO DAMAGE AT MINES. FLAMES THREATEN RACECOURSE. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Tress Association.) Received 1.45 p.m. to-day. NEWCASTLE, Jan. 31. A fierce fire is raging at the Northumberland colliery at Sassifern. Damage- estimated at £IO,OOO has been done already, and the position is becoming more serious hourly. The ventilating shaft and fittings above ground have been destroyed. Over 100 tons of coal is ablaze. It is feared the blazing wood, in falling down the shafts, will ignite the coal seams. With the recurrence of hot weather bush fires are raging from Gosford up to the north coast. Much damage has been done. Two houses were destroyed at Belmont and five at Tarcoma, where the residents fought all dav to preserve their homes. Fires are responsible for terrific heat throughout the northern district, and at least one death has resulted. Thomas Cook, aged 19, collapsed and died at Kearsley.

Bush fires threaten to destroy the Gosford racecourse.