Police are investigating a large scrub fire in Blenheim, which threatened 30 homes in the Wither Hills area.
Residents were evacuated during the blaze. Photo: Supplied: Jim Tannock
About 60 residents were evacuated on Saturday evening, as strong wind gusts blew a grass fire towards their properties.
Six helicopters and more than 30 firefighters were battling the blaze when it was at its height.
Fire crews in Blenheim would today dampen down hotspots in an area ravaged by fire over the weekend.
Two more fires started along the banks of the nearby Taylor River yesterday, but were put out.
Marlborough Principal Rural Fire Officer Richard McNamara said arson could be to blame.
"Just where the fire ignited, there are no observable ignition causes in that area," he said.
"There's also been a series of suspicious fires in that area over the last few weeks, beginning before Christmas, and we've also had a history of suspicious fires in that area over the past three to four years, so it's a disturbing trend."
Police earlier released a photo of a man who they wanted to speak to in connection with the fires, but have since eliminated him from their inquiry.
The blaze followed two suspicious fires on New Years Eve, both near the Wither Hills Farm Park.
It took four helicopters and seven crews to bring those fires under control.
Police earlier said they believed the person responsible for those fires arrived in a car or on a bike.
A total fire ban remains in place across Marlborough.
