Police speak to pair seen moments before Port Hills blaze
We’ve always got an open mind to the fact that fires may not have started
legitimately. Senior Sergeant Roy Appley
Police have spoken with two people seen on a walking track moments before the Port Hills fire was noticed, as part of their investigation into the blaze that covered more than 650ha.
More than 100 houses were evacuated after the fire on Christchurch’s Port Hills last Wednesday.
Police have said the fire is being treated as unexplained.
Residents near Hoon Hay Valley Rd reported seeing two people near a walking track on the hill followed by smoke. The residents took photos of the car as the pair drove off.
A police spokesperson confirmed that police had spoken to those people, as well as the ones in the car.
“Along with several others in the area, they appear to be likely witnesses at this time. Police are working through what they have said, as investigations are ongoing.”
Senior Sergeant Roy Appley said police have had a number of residents come to the base and advise them about “suspicious activity” that they’ve seen up to and including on the first fire day.
“So our message to communities, if you see something happening in your community and you’re not sure about it or your gut feeling tells you that’s not right, it probably isn’t.
“While I can’t absolutely say about the cause of the fire yet, what we do say is that if you’ve got suspicions about some activity that you’re concerned about, please report it to the police as soon as possible, particularly any video footage of persons,” Appley said.
He confirmed a “number of people” have already presented video footage to police.
“Yesterday, within a very short period of about two or three hours, we had three separate residents come with good information and video footage.
“We’ve always got an open mind to the fact that fires may not have started legitimately,” Appley said.
Police earlier said Fire and Emergency New Zealand was conducting its initial investigations with police support.
Police earlier appealed for photos and videos of the Port Hills fire in its infancy.
“We’d like to hear from anyone with photos or videos of the Port Hills between 1.30pm and 5pm on February 13, 2024.”
A Fenz spokesperson said they had an “immediate response” to the request with 337 people providing mages and footage.
“Many people also included a description of what they saw at the time, and this has also been very helpful.”
Fenz said that just under 5mm of rain fell on the Port Hill fireground this morning.
Fenz incident controller Steve Kennedy said: “Overnight crews made great progress eliminating many of the hotspots and also the deep-seated burning at one of the largest skid sites.”
He confirmed the specialist drone crew continued thermal imaging overnight and identified further areas that require attention today.
Kennedy said the rain was welcome and would help fire suppression, but also meant conditions would become slippery.
“Access tracks on the steep terrain will be checked before crews start working on some parts of the fireground.”
Firefighters will again be working with the support of heavy machinery, and two helicopters are available.
It comes as Fenz confirmed the blaze is contained but is not out.
Kennedy earlier said crews were focusing on about 40 hotspots considered at risk.
The fire operations around the Port Hills are expected to run until at least tomorrow.
The investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing.