THE FIRE AT NGAERE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 3 January 1924, Page 5

THE FIRE AT NGAERE.

COMMUNICATION RESTORED.

Owing to the dense clouds of smoke I from the fire on the Mountain road a few chains south of Ngaere railway station yesterday, the roadway for about two hours was almost totally obscured, as the result of which two Ford cars, one belonging to Mr T. Stanners, of Eltham, collided shortly after 3 p.m. Both ears were considerably damaged, though fortunately no one was injured. The damage to the telegraph lines was repaired by 3 p.m., and communication between Stratford and Eltham, which had been interrupted for approximately two and a half hours, was resumed. < i No damage was done to the railway ! line, though the north-bound train, which left Eltham at 1.8 p.m., was de- i layed until this could be made certain. The tar consisted of 100 barrels, the property of the Stratford County Council. Our Eltham correspondent writes as follows: A large dump of tar, consisting of 100 barrels of tar belonging to the Stratfrd County Council, was destroyed by fire near the Ngaere railway station at about 12.30 to-day. It appears that a small fire in the fern on the roadside spread to the tar barrels, with the result that the whole dump was destroyed. Large volumes of dense black smoke could be seen for many miles around and attracted a large number of people to the scene. The Eltham Fire Brigade went out, but found that very little could be done, as no water was available. The telegraph lines were burnt down and communication with New Plymouth was blocked. Some delay was occasioned the afternoon train owing to the tau flowing on to the railway line and causing some damage. It is not known whether the dump was covered by insurance or not.