TOWN THREATENED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23809, 9 November 1940, Page 15

TOWN THREATENED

AUSTRALIAN BUSHFI RES LONG FIGHT WITH FLAMES £from ottr own correspondent] SYDNEY, Nov. 7 Firemen and volunteers had a hard fight yesterday to save the mountain town of Lawson from bush fires which surrounded it. The fires were under control at the,end of the day. This is the year's first serious bush fire on the Blue Mountains, but. experts fear that such outbreaks will cause severe damage unless there are heavy falls of rain. All Tuesday night fires were, burning through the gullies and up the sides of the valleys. Early yesterday morning they were at the edges of the plateau when a fierce wind sprang up and drove the flames before it.

• Calls for help were sent to Ivatoomba and Leura. The fire brigade station officer at Katoomba, Mr. Sweeney, took charge of a large force of firemen and volunteers. The fire swept across the railway line in spite of efforts to use the permanent way as a fire-break. Then ifc crossed the Western Highway." At this stage the flames surrounded Law,son, and several buildings appeared certain to bo lost. They were saved by untiring work and the use of the water supply which has only been available recently. Firemen were exhausted last night. Mr. Sweeney said that tho volunteers did a "great job."