FIRE’S TOLL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16969, 26 February 1926, Page 5

FIRE’S TOLL.

KING SLAKE DESTROYED. TEN DAYS’ TERRIFIC BLAZE. WIPED OUT IN AN HOUR. (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) MELBOURNE, Feb. 25. ' Fanned by a strong wind, the forest fires burned fiercely throughout the night, but a change of wind averted all danger of loss of life. In the afternoon the position at Kingslake, where for the past ten days a terrific fire has raged in the heavilytimbered surrounding district, was so serious that- the school children had not even time to reach their homes. They sheltered in the post office which, with other refuges, housed 150 persons. Whetn the flames swept down the township was wiped out in a little more than an hour. The flames then swept across the Yea river and attacked Queenstown. Messages for help were sent to the city and a large number of'volunteers arrived on the scene. After a strenuous fight, the wind luckily changed, and other townships in tho district were saved from total destruction, although heavy damage was caused. NEW SOUTH WALES FIRES. WERE THEY WILFULLY STARTED? SYDNEY, Feb. 25. . In the Assembly, in reply, the Minister of Lands stated he would conduct a searching investigation into allegations that the recent disastrous hush fires in New South Wales had been wilfully lighted. UNDER CONTROL, BUT STILL BURNING FIERCELY. FIRES IN VICTORIA.' LATEST ADVICES. (Received February 26, noon. MELBOURNE, Feb. 26: Reports from the fire areas indicate that most of the outbreaks are again under control. No loss of life is reported, though communications with some districts have not yet been regained. Many, stories are told of narrow escapes. » ■ A camp at Maroondah dam, near Hoalsville, was practically wiped out, and Hoalsville itself was hemmed in by fires which seemed, to be burning on all sides. For several' hours the town was in danger, but the abating fury of the wind enabled hundreds of fire fighters, who had rushed from all parts, to save it. Other fires in many parts of the State are still burning fiercely.