A large scrub fire in South Auckland which forced the evacuation of dozens of houses is being treated as suspicious.
The blaze started at about 2.20pm on Sunday and covered 1400 square metres of a public reserve beside the foreshore in the suburb of Clendon Park.
Residents who were evacuated were allowed back to their homes a few hours later, after what some are calling a frustrating day.
One of them, Ann Chen, said as soon as she was told to leave she filled up her car with valuables and left her home.
Another resident, Colin Amery, said he arrived home to a cordon, and feared for his belongings and pets' safety as he saw the thick smoke near his house.
He said it's not the first fire in the area, and they are becoming more common.
Senior Station Officer Quin Webster said firefighters were dampening hot spots on Sunday evening.
He said the blaze is being treated as suspicious and an investigator will help determine the cause of the fire.
Two people were treated by ambulance staff for smoke inhalation.
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A large scrub fire, which caused evacuations in South Auckland, has now been put out and people are allowed back into their homes.
The blaze, which began at about 2.20pm on Sunday, spread over 1400 square metres of a public reserve beside the foreshore in the suburb of Clendon Park.
Fire service spokesperson Jaron Phillips says fire-fighters are now dampening hotspots.
He says the evacuations were due to the smoke, but there was no actual threat from the fire itself.
Two people have been treated by ambulance staff for smoke inhalation.
