1942 South Gippsland Fires
From 3-4 March fires in South Gippsland killed on person, caused large stock losses and destroyed more than 20 homes and two farms. The townships threatened included Hedley, Toora, Yarram, Welshpool, Alberton and Meeniyan.
FIRES IN SOUTH GIPPSLAND
Gippsland Times Mon 9 Mar 1942 Considerable damage Done
The most serious fires of the summer in Victoria occurred last week, when bush fires swept over wide areas in South Gippsland and other areas: One man was burned to death, many homesteads destroyed, and the townships of Hedley, Toora, ‘Yarram, Welshpool, Lower Tarwin,. Alberton West.. Meeniyan and .Balook were threatened. James Butler Hodgson, 65, farmer, of Hedley, who served in the Boer War and last war, lost his life while fighting flames. His body was found near his burnt home.
The worst outbreak was-in the Yarram area, where at one stage fires raged on a 60-mile front from Meeniyan to Balook. A change in weather saved a large tract of country from total destruction. In all 19 homes were destroyed between Toora and Yarram.
