A Bush Fire Incident.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1784, 18 January 1886, Page 3

A Bush Fire Incident.

During the fire at Stratford, New Plymouth, the Woodruff family bad a strange experience, Owing to the rapid advance of the fire they had to leave their house and clearing very hurriedly. Mrs Woodruff, with her an infant of a few days old, and although she was in a delicate condition herself. had, with her family to take refuge in a creek. After seeing his family sale for the lime being, Mr. Woodruff left them to see whether there was any chance to save his property from the bouse. On account of the great danger bis wife tried to dissuade him from going, but without avail. Their feelings ou finding that be did not return, while at the same time they could see the fire spreading all over where he was supposed to be, are difficult to portray ; their fears for his safety made them almost forget their own miserable plight. They were overjoyed however, to see him. whom they had given up for lost, appear safe and well as soon as the flames had burnt themselves out. He had taken refuge in the well. Seeing all escape cut off, he bethought himself of this refuge as the last and onlyresort. Lowering himself by the rope from the windlass, be soon found himself out of the reach of the fire, and in an atmosphere that could sustain life. Looking up be could see the flames running along the ground .ike a continuous stream of fire, and occasionally they would lick down the well and threaten him evern there. The windlass could be seen burning, and then the rope became detached and fell down. It was at once apparent that a new danger was threatened when the supports of the windlass should give way, and the heavy piece of timber which formed the drum should fall upon him. The burning length of log at last fell .down, and it was only by squeezing closely to the side of the well that he escaped being struck by it. It was, of course, alight when it fell, but the water soon extinguished it, otherwise it would probably have proved to be the means of smothering him.