FIGHTING FIRE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12392, 11 March 1926, Page 6

FIGHTING FIRE

PELORUS BUSH BLAZE STRUGGLE TO SAVE TIMBER MILLS MEN WORK DESPERATELY Per Press Association. BLENHEIM. March 10. A serious bush fire threatened last night to sweep away two sawmills, huge stacks of sawn timber, and .workers’ cottages, as it was, the residence of one of the mill workers was totally destroyed. The mills, situated in the Tinline Valley, off , Pelorus Bound, are owned by W. Carr and Bryant Bros. Details gathered from Havelock show that the fire started yesterday afternoon at albout. 3 o’clock, on the property upon which the mills stand, and a change in the wind to the north-west led to the fire getting out of control. Fanned by the heavy wind the flames bore down on the timber mills at the roadside, the bush burning fiercely. The staffs of the two mills were turned out as a fire-fighting force to battle with the flames and protect the buildings. A whare belonging to Mr Gardiner was caught by the fire.* As darkness fell the battle was still in full swing, and the fire appeared to have a stronger hold than ever. The fighters were almost dropping with exhaustion,' and many were overcome by the smoke. Fearing that the mills would he destroyed, as' well as the dwellings of about a hundred people in the settlement, an urgent call for reinforcements was sent out to the surrounding district. With the burning of Mr Coleman’s house, of saving the mill itself was practically abandoned, but the wind lulled, and the weary men renewed their efforts. The pVogress of the flames was stayed at 7 o’clock this morning. It was fortunate that Dr Olymont accompanied the Havelock contingent to the scene, for he was called upon to treat many cases of burns and collapse.