More Townships Wiped Out By Bush Fires

Northern Advocate, 31 January 1939, Page 5

More Townships Wiped Out By Bush Fires

MELBOURNE, January 30,

The bush fires which broke out near Selby, in the Dandenong rahges, yesterday, fanned by a strong wind today swept upon Selby township and destroyed 10 houses. The fire is burning in an area containing many holiday and week-end homes of Melbourne residents, and many small townships. Firefighters saved the remainder of Selby, while women and children sheltered in the brick St. Andrew’s church. The flames burned to within a few yards of the building. The fire then swept towards Emerald,' where two houses were burned and then to Belgrave South destroying several houses before the fighters diverted it to an t unsettled area, where it is still burning fiercely. " Hopes Defeated.

No further damage was expected, the wind having dropped, and a cool change with some rain being forecast. The wind rose again tonight, however, and the position in the Dsndenong ranges became more serious. The fire swept back upon Selby, cdmpleting the work of destruction of the township, wiping out 10 shops and 20 more houses.

The smaller township of Lockwood, near Selby, also was wiped out. These fires were not attended by danger to life, as all were in accessible areas, but the fosses in many cases are serious.

Reports are also being received tonight of the revival of fires in the areas swept in the recent, disaster. Lome is again, in danger. While fires in the Otway ranges, in the western part of the State, are raging fiercely. This area, however, is sparsely settled, but - contains a large quantity of valuable timber. A number of fires are burning near Warrnambool, where several homes have been destroyed. Some mill employees near Colac saved themselves by sheltering in a fugout when fire destroyed the mill. Tanjil, the scene of a number of fatalities in the last fires, was again menaced, but the danger is now over. The township of Cobden was saved after -a long fight.