FIRE ON RIVER BANK

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 1188, 3 October 1945, Page 5

FIRE ON RIVER BANK

RAGES THROUGH PLANTATION HOUSES IN DANGER ; On Sunday afternoon a fire broke out on the western bank of the Waikato River and was not under control until it had traversed two-thirds of the plantation of trees, belonging to the Leamington Domain Board. At about 1.30 p.m. some residents noticed smoke i rising from the area, but it was not until anr appeal for helpers was sent out two hours later that it was realised t«e smoke had developed into a dangerous fire of sufficient magnitude to not only destroy the plantations and undergrowth but, if not checked, could have endangered the Hfgh Level Bridge and nearby tfesffiences. It was veiViortunate that,a fire break was placed in the plantations last year and this was the deciding factor in helping the firefighters gain control of the situation, whose task was made very difficult on account of the steep sideO of the bank. At about 4.30 p.m. sufficient helpers had arrived and formed themselves into a bucket brigade and did admirable work in quelling the flames under the leadership of the Learnington chairman, Mr J. Blackman, and other members of the Board. The fire travelled from the bottom of Shakespeare Street along the bank to the back of the residence built by the late Mr Arthur Boyce. As the fire was approaching the bend in the river bank it was feared that it would reach vthe house mentioned above and tlie one occupied by Mr A. Columbus and his family. The fire was eventually under control. Although the fire traversed the major portion of the gum trees the larger ones have not been destroyed.