FOREST FIRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 January 1944, Page 4

FOREST FIRE

QUEENSTOWN IN GRAVE DANGER TOWN SAVED IN ALL-NIGHT FIGHT. OUTSIDE BRIGADES & VISITORS ASSIST. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, This Day. A fire in Queenstown was brought under control in the early hours of this morning after an allbight fight by bands of residents and visitors. It is now sweeping up the valley behind the p.ower house, but away from the town and all danger is| past. Brigades from Invercargill, Dunedin and Gore and also brigadesmen with equipment from Arrowtown, Cromwell and Alexandra went to Queenstown, to help. The Invercargil and Dunedin brigades are still there, coping with the outbreak. The DeputyMayor, Mr J. S. Royds, stated that the wind changed after 3 a.m., or all tne brigades would not have held the ffi.e. “The flames got into the trees at the edge of the camping ground—that’s how close it was,” he added. Mr Royds expressed gratitude for the prompt assistance given by visitors and outside brigades. At one stage, he said, it looked as if the whole place would, be enveloped. The bush along the lakeside towards the Glenorchy Road, was destroyed, but two houses in the path of the fire were saved. No one was injured. It is estimated that 2,000 acres of forest, including an area ot birch at the back of Ben Lomond, were destroyed. The camping ground was evacuated by campers, but they are returning there now after spending the night in helping to fight the