HUGE BUSH FIRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23704, 11 January 1939, Page 8

HUGE BUSH FIRE

CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY THOUSANDS OF ACRES DESTROYED WIDE AREA AFFECTED TIMELY FALL OF RAIN (Per United Press Association) HASTINGS, Jan. 10. Fanned by the high wind, an extensive bush fire is sweeping down on the Wakarara district in central Hawke’s Bay, endangering about 40 people, including women and children, and threatening to engulf sawmills, a schoolhouse. and dwellings. The fire began late last night, securing a firm hold over hundreds of acres and completely destroying some 20 acres of bush. Telephone lines in the district are down, due either to the fire or wind. Meagre information concerning the plight of the settlement is available. The mail truck, which usually travels to Ongaonga from Wakarara, has been detained at the mill, apparently in case a hurried evacuation is necessary. Residents in nearby districts have gone to render what assistance they can in the hopes of Saving the mill and dwellings.

The fire can been seen from, a considerable distance, presenting an awe-inspiring sight. The flames apparently extend for miles, and the smoke and haze to-day could be clearly seen from as far north as Napier and Hastings. Reports indicate that unless the wind drops or changes there is little hope that the mill of Gardner and Yeoman, Ltd., and the settlement will be saved, and there is a possibility that McCulloch’s mill, a few miles further on in the path of the blaze, will be endangered. At a later hour to-night the fire had burned out short of the mill and the settlement. A tramline and logging equipment were damaged, and approximately 1000 acres of bush were destroyed. Rain is now falling and appears to have put an end to a further outbreak. The fire is believed to have started from a logging camp. The settlers have relaxed their precautions, as a further outbreak appears unlikely. .ww