AUSTRALIAN BUSH FIRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19459, 15 October 1926, Page 11

AUSTRALIAN BUSH FIRES.

.WIDE ABEA BURNING. COMMUNICATION CUT OFF. TWO STATES INVOLVED. SETTLERS FIGHT THE FLAMES. By Telegraph—Presa Association—Copyright. (Received 12.15 a.m.) A. and N.Z. SYDNEY. Oct. 14. Huge bush fires are reported to be raging in the northern part of New South Wales. The whole country, from the Queensland border to Tabulam and across the Tooloo Ranges, is ablaze. Unconfirmed reports state that some houses have been burnt. All telegraphic and telephonic communications have been badly interrupted. There has been little rain for some months, so the country is exceedingly dry. Latest reports from the north coast regions state that the fires are still raging. Extensive damage has been done, but so far no fatalities have occurred. Unless the outbreaks are speedily checked widespread devastation will be caused. A message from Brisbane says the bush fires which are raging in the vicinity of that city have reached a climax. Tho city is encircled by . flames and smoke. The latter is so thick that at times the sun is almost obscured. Practically eVery range of hills and mountains within a* radius of 50 miles is ablaze. In many places the roads are impassable owing to smoke, heat and fallen tress. Settlers have had to fight hard to save their properties. This afternoon a thick pall of smoke had settled over the city, making it impossiblo to see more than the length of a street. On the river tho position was more acute and navigation was rendered extremely difficult.