From: Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855 – 1918), Friday 17 Feb 1888, page 3

THE FIRE AT AXEDALE
(from our correspondent)
Wednesday, 15th february.

The fire which broke out here on Sunday afternoon, and which was referred to, in your issue of Tuesday, still continues to spread, and grave fears are entertained as to the ultimate result of the conflagration. Every effort is being made to stay its progress, and willing hands are continually making efforts in that direction. So far, its ravages are principally confined to Mr. Burns’ 500 acre paddock, situated opposite to Mr. Ingham’s Quarry Hotel.

The whole of the grass fully 450 acres—in this paddock has been consumed, together with two miles of fencing. Before it left Mr. Malone’s farm it consumed 200 acres of grass, and about a mile of fencing. In your report it was stated that Mr. Ingham had lost 200 of grass. Fortunately for that gentleman, that was a mistake,” and so far he has not suffered very much. Today his stack was in great danger, a quarter of a mile of dead wood fence enclosing i,t having taken fire.

Precautions were, however, taken, and the grass in the immediate vicinity of the stack burnt, and it is hoped that this will have the effect of placing it out of danger. The fire is bounded on the southern side by the McIvor Road, and on east by a one chain road. Should the wind rise sufficiently to carry. it over the Mclvor Road, it will be into Mr. Heffernan’s property, in which is high grass, and nothing, to impede its progress, while should it cross the one chain road it will continue its course on towards Toolleen, through a country thickly timbered, and grassed, and also containing a numerous population.

It will thus be seen that things are at crisis, and the only chance is that the fire may burn itself out within the present limits, or that a heavy downfall of rain may put an end to it’s destructive power.

**Please note: Punctuation and paragraphs have been added to the above transcription for ease and speed of reading.

THE FIRE AT AXEDALE. (1888, February 17). Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855 – 1918), p. 3. Retrieved July 10, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88545336

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