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Joe Johnson / Stuff
There have been at least three suspicious fires in as many weeks in the Bottle Lake Forest area.
Christchurch fire crews were busy overnight battling a suspected wildfire that is believed to be at least the third in the area in as many weeks.
New Zealand Fire and Emergencies (Fenz) spokeswoman Jill Higginson said crews were called to a fire in the Bottle Lake Forest near Aston Drive around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The fire spread over about 1,600 square meters. Two crews from Anzac Drive, one from Redwood and two tanker trucks were dispatched to fight the fire. Firefighters had the fire contained at 4:30 a.m. Thursday.
The fire did not damage any property and no one was injured, but he was treated as a suspect and a fire investigator had been notified, Higginson said.
Joe Johnson / Stuff
The suspicious fire spread to about 1,600 square meters before being contained at 4:30 a.m. Thursday.
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The fire follows at least two other suspicious fires in the Bottle Lake Forest area in recent weeks.
Joe Johnson / Stuff
Police and fire investigators are investigating the series of suspicious fires in Christchurch’s Bottle Lake Forest.
Fire crews were dispatched to two suspicious fires in the forest on September 27.
Fenz spokesman Andrew Norris previously said that the first fire in the forest, around 1.30pm on September 27, was about 3 square meters.
A group of youths were seen in the area before the fire started, but it was unclear if the group was involved, he said.
John Kirk-Anderson / Stuff
Christchurch fire crews were kept busy overnight fighting a suspicious fire in Christchurch’s Bottle Lake forest. (File photo)
Just three hours later, crews were called back into the forest and dealt with a fire that had spread across 30 square meters.
Both fires were extinguished shortly after the arrival of firefighters.
Police had spoken to two people about the fires and investigations were ongoing.
Police were also investigating the blaze on Wednesday.
