FOUR MILE FRONT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21324, 19 April 1939, Page 9

FOUR MILE FRONT

GRASS FIRE IN MARLBOROUGH By Telegraph—Press Association BLENHEIM, April 18.

Four sheep-runs at Hillersden, 35 miles from Blenheim, were involved, at least two seriously, in a grass fire which broke away yesterday afternoon and spread with alarming rapidity. Fortunately the outbreak was practically confined to the hills, but settlers spent an anxious night fighting to prevent the flames coming down on to the flats, where grave damage could have been caused.

They were helped considerably by a change in the wind, which turned in the evening to south and tended to blow the blaze back to the hills. This morning the weary fire-fighters returned from an all-night battle to report that their efforts had been successful and the fire extinguished. As far as can be ascertained the fire broke away on the Stanhope property, occupied by Mr R. B. McLennan, about mid-day yesterday, but did not assume serious proportions till later in the afternoon. Settlers were not long in gathering, but by the time they concentrated on the hills the wind had swept the fire along through the gullies and over the ridges from Stanhope to Wantwood, owned by Mr G. Neville, and Hartley Hills, owned by Mr F. L. Murray. At the same time it spread in the opposite direction from Stanhope towards Mr J. Barry’s property slightly to the north. At one stage the fire had a front of about four miles, and extended in from the hills about a mile. Much of the area, however, consists of gullies, so that the acreage of actual pasture destroyed may not exceed 1500. Stock losses may be severe.