SERIOUS BUSH FIRES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 10 January 1944, Page 2

SERIOUS BUSH FIRES

PART OF QUEENSTOWN EVACUATED CAMPERS FORCED TO LEAVE Invercargill, Jan. 9 Serious bush fires are raging tonight near the Queenstown camping ground. The western side of the town has been evacuated, and late to-night many campers wer e seen on the roadside with their baggage beside them. All gear has been removed from the ground. Some visitors who had caravans have already left Queenstown. All available men, including visitors are out to-night fighting the flames, which are being fanned by a strong south-west wind, and making fire breaks. A close watch is being kept on the power supply plant. Queenstown itself is not in danger as long as the wind remains in the south-west.— TOWN SAVED Invercargill, This Day. The fire at Queenstown was brought under control in the early hours this morning after an all-night fight by bands of residents and visitors. It is now sweeping up the valley behind the powerhouse but away from the town and all danger to the town is past. Brigades from Invercargill, Dunedin and Gore, also brigadesmen with equipment from Arrowtown, Cromwell and Alexandra, went to Queenstown to help. The Invercargill and Dunedin brigades are still there coping with the outbreak. The deputy-mayor( Mr J. S. Royds, stated that the wind changed after 3 a.m., or all the brigades could not have held the fire. “The flames got into the trees at the edge of the camping ground; that’s how close it was.,” he added. He expressed gratitude for the prompt assistance of visitors and the brigade, for at one stage it looked as if the whole place would be enveloped. Bush along the lakeside towards Glenorchy road was destroyed but the two houses in the path of the fire were saved and no one was hurt. It is estimated that 2000 acres, including are area of birch at the back of Ben Lomond, were destroyed. The camping ground was evacuated by campers who are returning there now after spending a night helping to fight the fire.—P.A.