BLENHEIM BUSH FIRES

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12393, 12 March 1926, Page 6

BLENHEIM BUSH FIRES

TERRIFIC BLAZ& SETTLERS’ FIGHT "oN BIG FRONT. Per Press Association. BLENHEIM, March 11. Destructive bush fires are reported from the Tunakino Valley, which ’s ablaze from end to end. Yesterday afternoon a call came to “Canvastown” for men to go to O. : Bryant’s sawmill. The Pelorus bridge was reported to be ip imminent danger of being burned, as it was in the path of the fire. When the party reached the scene they found that things were not so bed as they had feared, and /re not long in saving the situation. While engaged in this work they received a call from the Tunakino-Opouri Valley, where a fire had broken out and was spreading rapidly on a wide front. Settlers from miles around were beating out the flames, but help was urgently needed. The firo was found to be threatening Mr Arthur Hcbbard’s house, and a great effort was made to protect it. The fire, however, won, and the house was destroyed. Mr P. Neal’s house was also threatened, but Was saved after a strenuous fight. The women and children of the settlement were sheltered in the public hall. Tile fire fighters worked tilt the early hours of this morning, and the latest news is that the danger has been definitely suppressed.