ROTORUA SCRUB FIRES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 6, 8 January 1944, Page 4

ROTORUA SCRUB FIRES

FLAMES UNDER CONTROL AT TARAWERA (P.A.) , Auckland, Jan. 7. The serious menace created by fires in the Tarawera area on Thursday were commented on by the Conservator of Forests in the Rotorua district, Mr. W. T. Morrison, to-day. The fire spread from Tarawera Lake eastward, seriously threatening the tea-rooms, and at one stage the Hames were within 20 feet of the building. The occupiers of the building had 1 hurriedly to remove the furniture from the store and the dwelling, but as the fire was burning among the trees and scrub on the left-hand sid° , of the road it was possible to check its course. Mr. Morrison said the danger still existed at Tarawera but the flames a! the present time were under control, with only two or three small patches burning. It depended on the wind as a change could cause an outbreak. In addition to the tea-rooms several Tourist Department hutments were in danger, but these also were saved. A fire-fightin-. crew v. as standing by. together with members of the Army, in the event of a further serious out break. The fires in the Taupo area