Scrub Fire Flames Leap 500 Feet

Northern Advocate, 28 January 1939, Page 15

Scrub Fire Flames Leap 500 Feet

[Special to “Northern Advocate’’] HAMILTON, This Day. A scrub fire which started shortly after midday yesterday on the property of Mr S. J. H. Powell, which adjoins the Ruakura State farm, rapidly assumed large proportions. Caught in a whirlwind,' smoke and flames were carried into the air for a height estimated at 500 feet, providing an awe-inspiring sight.

The roar of the flames caused cows and horses in the : vicinity to career round the paddocks with fright.

Mr Powell described the sound of the whirlwind as similar to that of flames rushing up a chimney. Several houses to the south appeared to bo m danger, blit the intervention of the railway line and fire breaks eliminated possibility of the flames reaching the buildings.

. Late last night the fire was still burning, but on a considerably decreased scale, and no property was

menaced.

Mechanical Shovel Blocks Road.

Dislodging an unusually large quantity of spoil from a cutting face at the northern end of the Brynderwyn deviation yesterday afternoon, the mechanical shovel working on this portion of the Auckland-Whangarei highway brought down a slip which completely blocked the road. The mishap occurred at about four o’clock, and traffic was held up for half an hour while the road was cleared.