[ad_1]
A large fire burning in the Port Hills in Christchurch destroyed a small cabin and forced the evacuation of homes.
Emergency services were called to the fire shortly after 11 p.m. Friday night.
Properties at Avoca Valley Rd and Port Hills Rd were evacuated, police said in a statement around 1 a.m.
In a statement issued around 5.30 a. M., Christchurch Metropolitan Area Fire and Emergencies of New Zealand (FENZ) Commander Dave Stackhouse said the fire had ravaged about 15 hectares and a small cabin had been destroyed.
At the height of the fire, 15 devices and equipment were deployed to fight the fire, Stackhouse said.
READ MORE:
* North Canterbury bush fire fueled by strong northwesterly winds considered accidental
* Flare seen during suspicious fires in Christchurch’s Port Hills.
* Several suspicious fires started in Christchurch’s Port Hills.
“The 50 firefighters on the ground are concentrating on protecting the structures along Port Hills Road and were working hard to prevent the fire from spreading up the hill.
“There have been partial evacuations along Avoca Valley Road and, working together with the police, we have been communicating with affected residents in the area.”
Meg Falconer / Supplied
Nearly a dozen fire crews responded to brush fire overnight.
Stackhouse said authorities will better understand the fire at first light.
“We will bring two helicopters to conduct an aerial inspection of the fire and assist ground crews with suppression and containment,” he said.
At approximately 6.30am, a FENZ spokesperson said Stuff Residents of 10 properties evacuated on Port Hills Rd overnight were unable to return to their homes.
However, residents of Avoca Valley Rd could start to return. No further evacuations were planned, the spokesman said.
Christchurch woman Liz Ridder said her husband heard outbursts “like fireworks” and looked out the window to see a fire on a hill near a water tank Friday night.
“The fire was big enough when he saw it,” he said.
The couple had also heard some “loud explosions,” he said.
“We are glad there is no wind tonight.”
MITCHELL POTTS / Supplied
One witness heard popping sounds “like fireworks.”
