9 Feb 2019

Queen Charlotte Sound fire brought under control

8:35 am on 9 February 2019

A large fire that broke out overnight at Hitaua Bay, northeast of Picton, has been brought under control.

The Coast Guard directed a crew to the scene after a boat shed fire at the Queen Charlotte Sound bay was reported to Fire and Emergency at 11.20pm.

The fire spread to the wharf and nearby vegetation and had grown to 100m by 7m at 1.15am.

Crews from Rarangi, Koromiko and Picton managed to contain the blaze at 3am.

This morning the coast guard was bringing in 20 fire staff.

Two helicopters have been booked, to damp down any remaining hotspots.