Old news from Armidale and New England

Wednesday 4 January 1905, The Sydney Morning Herald

FIRES ALL ROUND HILLGROVE.

NARROW ESCAPE OF OCCUPIERS.

HILLGROVE, Tuesday.

The heat wave continues. The thermometer registered 105deg on Sunday and 103 yesterday.

There are bush fires all round, and the town is enveloped with smoke. Thousands of acres of grass and miles of fencing have been destroyed. The Hillgrove station paddocks were burnt out, also Messrs. Munsie’s, Golden’s, Faint’s, and Hopkins’ selections.

The fires reached the township of Metz yesterday, and were burning up to a short distance from it. The cemetery fence was totally destroyed, also Messrs Bindley’s, Chaffey’s, and Roberts’ residences. The inmates had narrow escapes.

A party of police and civilians is now out endeavouring to rescue a woman and her family in Rocky Paddock, who are said to be surrounded by fire. The husband is away from home.