MURCHISON MENACED

Northern Advocate, 31 January 1928, Page 6

MURCHISON MENACED

FOUR ACRES ABLAZE

COUNTRY DRY AS MATCHWOOD,

GREAT WORK BY VOLUNTEERS,

WELLINGTON, This Day.

Murchison township was greatly endangered yesterday by an outbreak of fire in the Domain reserve, in the vicinity of several houses, also the Young Men’s Institute and the local school.

The outbreak was caused by a small lire, lit by a man near the back of the Domain, getting out of control. Fanned by a light wind, the flames took quick bold, with a wide front running in two directions. From appearances, nothing could stay its progress and all the nearby buildings were in immediate danger. Volunteer workers rushed to the scene and, with only wet sacks and a few buckets of water, attacked the flames.

Dry grass, fern and blackberry were up to six feet high in places, and the heat was terrific. Where possible, fire breakh were made, and after hours of herculean effort, the fire was got under control. As the whole township was as dry as tinder, it was only a miracle a save was effected, and great praise is accorded the volunteers.

In the afternoon, more tafety breaks "were made. Burning stumps were a continued menace, and an allnight watch was kept, A much stronger wind sprang up later in the day, and it is deemed fortunate that the fire was then imder control, otherwise nothing could have saved the town.

Altogether, some four acres of ground were Burned. —Press Assn.