PEAT FIRES CONTINUE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22479, 25 January 1935, Page 7

PEAT FIRES CONTINUE.

WORKERS’ HUTS DESTROYED '• _ i HURRIED ESCAPE FROM FLAMES (Peb United Press Association.). HAMILTON, January 24. With the continuance of the dry weather conditions the swamp fires throughout the Waikato rage practically unabated, and further loss to pasture has been suffered. Despite a strenuous fight against the encroaching flames, at Tauhei yesterday 13 families were rendered homeless as the result of the fire razing their hutments to the ground in the Public Works camp. This fire originated over a week ago, and, fanned by the recent strong winds, made rapid progress yesterday afternoon and evening. When the men realised the possibility of the fire reaching the camp they made every endeavour to check its advance. When they saw that this was impossible they grasped their few personal belongings and ran for safety. Much pasture land in this locality has been swept by the flames', and owing to the tinder-dry nature of other property the settlers are greatly concerned. The evacuation of the Public Works camp was pathetic. Although the exit from the homes they had occupied for months was hurried, the workers placed the contents of their hutments in neat piles on the roadside. There was a great variety of personal effects, including beds, sideboards, pictures, gramophones, chairs, clocks, bicycles, radio batteries, and even children’s toys. The women worked strenuously to help their husbands, and when the lorries arrived to take away the furniture they handed the articles up to the men loading the vehicles. Some of the women who have babies only a few months old divided their time between attending to them and watching the removal of their household goods.

So far this month the Hamilton Fire Brigade has received 22 calls, a record for the district.