ANXIOUS NIGHT

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20783, 18 April 1939, Page 8

ANXIOUS NIGHT

SHEEP RUNS MENACED EXTENSIVE FIRE SPREADS SETTLERS FIGHT FLAMES (Telegraph—Press Association) BLENHEIM, Tuesday Four sheepruns at Hillersden, 36 miles from Blenheim, were Involved, at least two seriously, In a grass fire which broke away yesterday afternoon and spread with alarming rapidity. Fortunately the outbreak was almost entirely confined to the hills, but the settlers spent an anxious night fighting to prevent the flames coming down to the flats, where grave damage could have been caused. They were helped considerably by a change in the wind which turned in the evening to the south and tended to blow the blaze back to the hills. This morning the weary fire-fighters returned from an all-night battle to report that their efforts were successful and the fire was extinguished. As far as can be ascertained the fire broke away on the Stanhope property occupied by Mr R. B. McLennan about mid-day yesterday, but did not assume serious proportions until later in the afternoon. The settlers were not long in gathering but by the time they concentrated on the "hills the winds had swept the fire along through the gullies and over the ridges from Stanhope to Wantwood, owned by Mr G. Neville, and Hartley Hills, owned by Mr F. L. Murray. At the same time it spread in the opposite direction from Stanhope towards Mr J. Barry's property slightly to the north. At one stage the fire had a front of about four miles and extended in from the hills about a mile. Much of the area, however, consists of gullies so that the acreage of actual pasture destroyed may not exceed 1500. There is no information regarding stock losses, but there is a distinct probability that these will be severe.