FURTHER FIRES

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20718, 31 January 1939, Page 7

FURTHER FIRES

VICTORIA’S LOSSES TOWNSHIP WIPED OUT I NO LOSS OF LIFE (United Press Assn.—Eleo. Tel. Copyright) MELBOURNE, Jan. 30 The bush fires which broke out near Selby, In the Dandenong Ranges, yesterday, fanned by a strong wind to-day, swept upon Selby township and destroyed ten houses. j The fire is burning in an area con- ! taining many holiday and week-end homes of Melb urne residents, and many small townships. Fire fighters saved the remainder of Selby while women and children sheltered in the brick St. Andrew’s Church. The flames burned to within a few yards of the building. The flrp then swept toward Emerald, vhere two houses were burnt, and then to Belgrave South, destroying several houses before the fighters diverted It to an unsettled area, where it is still burning fiercely. No further damage was expected, the wind having dropped, and a cool change with some rain being forecast. More Serious The wind rose again to-night, however, and the position in the Dandenong Ranges became more serious. The fire swept back upon Selby, completing the work of destruction of tho township, wiping out 10 shops and 20 more houses. The smaller township of Lockwood, near Selby, also was wiped out. These fires were not attended by danger to life, as all were in accessible areas, but the losses in many cases are serious. Reports are also being received tonight of the revival of fires in the areas swept in the recent disaster. Lome is again in danger, while fires in the Otway Ranges in the western part of the State are raging fiercely. This area, however, is sparsely settled, but contains a large quantity of valuable forests. AN ALL-NIGHT FIGHT FLAMES UNDER CONTROL MUCH DAMAGE REPORTED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Jan. 3i, 1.45 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Jan. 31 After all-night fights most of the bush fires are -under control this morning. Extensive damage, however, has been done in many places. Eleven houses were lost in the Otway district and several in Lome. Many residents in the Selby district have been treated for minor burns. There were several narrow escapes when the flames swept down a hillside at Selby, many people taking shelter in open paddocks. A number of fires are burning near Warrnambool, where several homes were destroyed. Some mill employees near Colac saved themselves by sheltering in a dug-out when the Are destroyed the mill. Tanjil, the scene of a number of fatalities during the last fires, was again menaced, but the danger is now over. The township of Dobden was saved after a long fight.