West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Saturday 9 February 1901, page 3


HBUSH FIRES IN 'ICTORIA. WHOLE DISTRICTS DEVASTATED. . LOSS.OF LIFE. Melbourne, February 8. Several large bush fires are raging in various parts of the country. Great destruction has been done in the Branxholme district. Chas. M1,Intosh, an old resident, was burnt to death, and several others were injured. The whole district. was devastated, the fire travelling ati'a terrific rate before 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. McMillan, and Crisp. At Condah the Catholic Chapel and several houses were burned. Railway bridges and railway sleapers were also destroyed. The fire is still raging on ali sides, and trains from Portland are unable to proceed further, owing to the culverts being burnt. Telegrams also show that disastrous bush fires are raging in the Scarsdale district., and several houses have been destroyed. The residents of Warrnambbhool had an anxious time, as the flames reached the outskirts of the town and swept away five houses. " Buninyong reports being visited by extensive bush fires, which swept away grass, cattle, horses. and, it is feared, human life was also lost. Several families have been ruined and rendered homeless. News has been received from Ballarat that serious bush fires are raging in the Barringa district, and fears are entertained with regard to the safety of the. plants of the Birthday and Jubilee Mining Companies.Bush Bush fires are also reported from Broadford, Coleraine. Euro, Flinders, Frankston, HTamilton. Yea, Castlemaine, Seymour, and other places.