FIERCE GORSE FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18334, 26 February 1923, Page 8

FIERCE GORSE FIRE.

DAMAGE TO FENCES. A gorse firo at Brooklyn, Wellington; last week caused residents in the vicinity considerable , anxiety. It was about 2 o'clock when the fire was first observed, and was then beginning to make its way up a gully. One of the steep banks was consumed rapidly, and flames were seen leaping up to* a height of 30ft. The whole atmosphere was filled with a dense smoke, and numbers of the occupants of the adjoining houses could be seen anxiously watching the rapid progress of the flames. In half an i hour about three acres of dense gorso had been devoured, and some of the back fences along Connaught Terrace were damaged beyond repair. Several cows which were grazing on the property, were huddled up in one corner. At about 3 o'clock the fire brigade arrived on the' scene, and immediately set to work' with beaters in order to safeguard the neighbouring houses. It took them about a quarter of an hour to get the fire under, and at half-past three the flames had died down, although the ground still _ continued to smoulder. Most of the gorso had been swept away, and nothing remained but the charred roots dotted all over the smouldering ground.