THREATENING FLAMES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23362, 30 November 1937, Page 13

THREATENING FLAMES

SCRUB AND GRASS FIRES PROPERTY DAMAGE PREVENTED (Special to Daily Times) PEMBROKE, Nov. 29. A serious fire broke out here today about 12.30 p.m. in the scrub in. the vicinity of Lakeside House. Owing to the prolonged spell of dry weather, the flames quickly spread along the hill at the back of the town, ana" in a very short time the fire had assumed alarming proportions. A large party of fire-fighters was quickly on the scene, and only their strenuous efforts prevented the White Star Hotel and the residences of the Doctors' Club, Messrs C. J. Collin gs, R. Little and A. E. Cooper from being destroyed. By 2.30 the flames were under control, but the fire-fighters then . received a call to Wanaka Station, where a grass fire had broken out. This was under control by 3.30. On account of the great danger of the fire breaking out again, the town was patrolled throughout the night, and the local postmaster arranged for the telephone exchange to remain open until midnight. At a late hour to-night all the fires had been extinguished, but a strict vigilance was still being maintained.