ASHBURTON FIRES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20543, 19 February 1935, Page 3

ASHBURTON FIRES.

Four Outbreaks in One Afternoon. (Special to the “ Star.”) ASHBURTON, This Day. u cm r outbreaks of fires occurred in the 'ru bounty yesterday afternoon. . e first was reported near the railway mV 6 b . et , wsen Dromore and Chertsey. ine Ashburton County Council’s firefighting plant Avas summoned, but the flames were checked by a number of settlers and the services of the firefighting plant Avere not required. At three o’clock a fire broke out on Racecourse Road, Ashburton, but the damage was confined to a hedge and small area of grass. It was stated that the burning of hedge clippings Avas the cause of the outbreak. A third fire started on Mr G. H. M 1 agues’ farm at Coldstream and extended to a plantation. Neighbouring farmers were soon on the scene, and with the assistance of the County Council’s motor trailer pump, succeeded in checking the outbreak before any serious damage was done. About four o’clock a request was made to the council for the use of its plant to assist at a fire which had broken out on Mr J. L. Connolly’s farm at Rakaia. A large area of grassland was threatened and neighbouring farmers turned out in large numbers. The fire reached a plantation and strenuous efforts were made by the fire-fighters to check it from spreading. In this they were successful by diverting a waterrace, but a wind sprang up later and a fresh outbreak occurred. The council’s plant proceeded to the scene about 9.30 o’clock last night, after returning from Coldstream. The fire Avas under control by the time the plant arrived, but the men stood by until all danger of a fresh outbreak had passed.