24 Dec 2017

'It was too ferocious ... the helicopters couldn't see' - fire officer

1:11 pm on 24 December 2017

Four homes are now confirmed destroyed in yesterday's fire on the outskirts of Christchurch.

Fire investigators are working today to establish the cause of the fire on Knights Road near Rolleston, which started shortly after 3pm yesterday.

The affected families have been allowed back home to salvage what remains of their belongings.

Firefighters said the blaze spread quickly because of high winds and tinder-dry conditions. At its peak, four helicopters fought the blaze but they had to stop at dusk.

Principal rural fire officer for North Canterbury Bruce Janes said the damage was done in just three hours.

"It was just moving too fast and it was too ferocious," he said.

"So people on the ground couldn't get in because it was too dangerous, you know with these big shelter belts on fire.

The fire tore through windbreak hedges, making it hard for firefighters to get close.

The fire tore through windbreak hedges, making it hard for firefighters to get close. Photo: RNZ / Conan Young

"And of course the helicopters couldn't see because of all the smoke, so they were doing their absolute best and we simply had enough resources but it was hard to pull it up."

It was extinguished overnight, with crews working through the night to dampen down hot spots.

About 10 fire trucks were still at the scene on this morning.

Smoke seen near the fire in Rolleston.

Smoke seen near the fire in Rolleston. Photo: Ashburton TV

Crews also remained at a fire on Haul Road in McLeans Island near the Waimakariri River, working to keep it away from a nearby Forest.

It broke out just after 6.30pm, and a command unit travelled from Timaru to manage the blaze.

It is contained but firefighters expected it to burn for several days.

Crews used heavy machinery, tankers and pumps to douse the fire, which burned through piles of sawdust and logs.

Mr Janes said it could take six days to extinguish that fire, which is near Christchurch airport.

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