Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Friday 8 February 1901, page 6


DESTRUCTIVE BUSH FIRES

IN VICTORIA.

A MAN BURNT TO DEATH.

DWELLINGS AND RAILWAY BRIDGES

DESTROYED.

MELBOURNE, Thursday.

The bushfire which have been raging to various parts of the country have proved very destructive. Great destruction was done to-day in the Branx-holme district in the direction of Cape Otway. Charles McIntosh, an old resident, was burnt to death, and several others were injured The whole district was devastated, the fire travelling at a terrific rate in front of the wind, which blew with hurricane force, Stock suffered severely, Besides grass, fencing, outhouses, stacks, sheds, corn, and sundries The following persons' houses and effects were completely destroyed -Messrs Miller, Quirk, Storer, Addinsall, McLachlan, J. M'Millan, and Crisp At

Condah the Roman Catholic chapel and several houses were burnt. The road and the railway bridges and the railway sleepers were also destroyed. The fire is still raging on all tides, and trams from Portland are unable to proceed further owing to the culverts being burnt. The Casterton train is now

to va hours late

Other telegrams to hand to-night show that disastrous bush fires are raging in the Scarsdale district. Several houses have been destroyed.

The residents of Warrnambool had an anxious time, as the flames reached the outskirts of the town, and swept away five houses

Severe losses were entailed on settlers in the Alexandra district,, when the flames swept over an area 15 miles by five, levelling everything.

A telegram for Wangaratta states that the Sydney express train had to run to-night through a large area of burning country between Avenel and Long-wood. The fire extended to the fence on either side of the railway line, and as the train rushed through the heavy smoke the passengers were treated to an exceptionally close view of the grand and terrible scene where the fire had swept along only a few hours before. Burning trunks used for miles, and further ahead the flames, as they travelled onward, came unpleasantly close to the train.

Buninyong reports being visited by an extensive bush fire, which swept away the grass, cattle, and horses, and it is feared human life was also lost

Several families are ruined and homeless. A gale sprang up this evening at Longwood, carrying a solid wall of fire towards the town. The residents hastily gathered their valuables and placed them in buggies ready to drive away. Fortunately a change of wind at the open stope moment enabled the firefighters to get control, and the flames went on each side of the township The fire was within 100 yards of the railway station, and the Euroa firemen had hydrant and hose in position to try and save the building, but their services fortunately were not required. The Ure has split into two portions, or n going towards France and the other to Killeen Many miles of grass lands have been de-vastated, and many narrow escapes from death have been experienced. In some cases horsemen have had to gallon across country for their lives

News has been received at Ballarat that serious bush fires are raging in the Berringa district. Fears are entertained with regard to the safety of the plants of the Birthday and Jubilee mining companies

Bush fires are also reported from Broadford, Coleraine, Euro, Flinders, Frankston, Hamilton, Yea, Castlemaine, Hastings, Seymour, Tarnagulla, and other places.