SWEEPING FLAMES

Northern Advocate, 6 May 1930, Page 5

SWEEPING FLAMES

VAST AREAS AFFECTED EASTERN AMERICAN STATES. ENORMOUS DEVASTATION. (United Press Association—By Electrifl Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received 9 a.m.) NEW YORK, May 5. Widespread portions of the easitern United States are threatened by timberland fires, in which, although nopersons have been reported to- have been killed, the damage to property is great. Farms, homes, crops and timber have been destroyed. Many persons have fled from their homes to safety, while thousands of men and boys are fighting the flames at Long Island. Staten Island, the centre of New York State, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Massachussets are the districts affected.

The greatest damage has been done at Nashua, New Hampshire, where a great timber fire swept through the city on 'Sunday and destroyed 200 residences, three large industrial plants and three churches, with damage exceeding £1,000,000, It left 2000 people homeless.

The lire then crossed the river swept on by high winds into timber* land on the other side of the city. Three women were later reported to have been killed at Nashua, where constabulary are guarding against looting. The Bed Cross is aiding the homeless. A whole section of the city is a mass of smouldering ruins.

New York City lire apparatus was busy all day with an epidemic of suburban fires doing millions of dollars' worth of damage. Fires are still burning in several sections, where communications are disrupted. More damage is feared, for as soon as the apparatus is able to reach the scene of one blaze there is another, request for immediate help.. Staten Island, New York, was the scene of numerous fires. Seventy-five were destroyed in one section, while in another 700 structures were on fire at once.

Eight New York’City lire companies rushed there by ferry, while lireboats aided from the water.

Residents newly arrived fer the summer saw all their property ruined. Especially bad fires are now reported at Lakewood, New Jersey, Amityville and Long Island. A further message from Nashua says that over 500 people lost their homes in the fire, which destroyed the south-eastern section of the city. The loss is estimated at £400,000, MANY FRESH OUTBREAKS. NEW JERSEY PINE’ FORESTS, (Received 2.40 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 5. While weary crews are still fighting fires in nine states, rumours are circu? lating.that New Jersey pine forests are swept by 22 disastrous new fires from the scattered embers ef yesterday’s conflagrations. Two villages have been destroyed and two towns aro menaced. Many men have been injured while fighting the flames. The weather conditions continue particularly bad in the burning areas.

Fire risks are unnecessary risks. Sou should be insured with the Mercantile and General Insurance Co., Ltd. Do it NOW! —Whangarei Agent; Mr H. G. Carruth. Solicitor. 447:1