THE GIPPSLAND FIRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13095, 7 February 1906, Page 6

THE GIPPSLAND FIRES.

AN APPALLING SPECTACLE.

A more complete knowledge of the results of the terrible fire that raged in Gippsland on January 29 came to hand by last mail. Mr. Lamb, of Hill and Co., who was in the thickest of the fight, tells his own tale, as follows: —" I left Foster on Tuesday, at four p.m., accompanying Hamblin's daughter Ruth, who came in on business in the morning. ' Two miles distant from the township we were met by a sheet of flame,, the whole country on either side of the road being like a tornado. To retreat was »as dangerous as to advance, so we set our horses at full gallop along the tortuous Bollarah Road. The girl displayed the utmost coolness and pluck. Hamblin's place was reached after a thrilling ride, trees falling in front and behind us. The fire had not touched the homestead of the- Hamhlin family up to then, so leaving Ruth at her home I made my way along the road to the square ton residence of Mr. Clcmson, president of the shire, which was in ruins by this time. All the outbuildings were demolished, and horses and fowls roasted alive, within 10 yards of the iron tank, in which Clcmson and his wife and family had taken refuge. The scene at this juncture was awful in the extreme. The flames were leaping from hilltop to hilltop, and with blinding smoke made an appalling spectacle. The occupants of the tank were totally blind. I supplied eye lotion. and clothing, and administered stimulants, afterwards proceeding to Griffith's place, half a mile to the eastward, which was also surrounded by flames. All the outbuildings were burnt to the ground, but the house was still standing, and the inmates were found in the potato field. I provided them with food and stimulants, and after a ride of four hours returned to Foster."

At Toora three young men who saw the fire advancing upon them took refuge in a dam. While they were there one became demented, and tried to cut his throat. Several people just, left their houses in time to avoid falling roofs. Many people had to place wet blankets over themselves as thev fled from the flames, to enable them to bear the heat. One case is recorded where a family took refuge in an iron tank, and remained there while their house was burned close by.