SMOKE INTERRUPTS 2YA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22010, 17 January 1935, Page 10

SMOKE INTERRUPTS 2YA

MOUNT VICTORIA ABLAZE STATION ESCAPES DAMAGE [BT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Wednesday A gorse and grass fire, which assumed serious proportions, broke out on the city side of Mpunt Victoria this afternoon and under the influence of a strong northerly breeze swept to the summit, threatening 2YA transmitting station. So dense was the suffocating smoke that the qontrol room of the station was lost to sight from the city, only the' tops of the twin masts remaining in view. The afternoon's broadcast was interrupted on account of the uncomfortable conditions created inside. The building escaped damage, but the fire swept on through the thick scrub down the Hataitai side. It was out of hand for two hours, finally being checked by the wide road circling the lower slopes of the hill. At one stage a house on the shoulder of the hill was threatened, but the fire was checked at the fence by two leads of hose, from which water pumped by engines was sprayed on the advancing flames. It is estimated that 50 acres were swept before the outbreak was extinguished. GRASS FIRES IN SUBURBS TWELVE CALLS TO BRIGADES Fire brigades were again kept busy yesterday suppressing grass fires in suburban districts, 12 calls being answered during the day. Four outbreaks occurred in Mount Albert, two in Avondale, two in Ellerslie, two in Mount Eden and one each in Mount Roskill and Point Chevalier. In no case was serious damage done. CONCERN IN HAWKE'S BAY FIRES NEAR RAILWAY LINE [ux telegraph—press association] WAIPUKURAU. "Wednesday In reference to the frequent fires of late in proximity to the railway line in Central Hawke's Bay, where tho grass is very dry, the chairman of the Waipukurau County Council, Mr. A. C. Russell, has despatched the following telegram to the general manager of railways:— "Tremendous indignation prevails- at the attitude of the Railways Board in connection with fires on properties adjacent to the railway in Central Hawke's Bay. The cause is attributed to soft coal. Settlers are suffering groat hardship through the di"y season and are faced with ruination if something is not done to prevent the fires."