Blaze destroys homes
Wildfires in Christchurch’s Port Hills were raging last night, forcing about 1000 people from their homes and destroying houses. A state of emergency was declared in Christchurch and Selwyn. The fires were last night at the doorstep of the suburb of Cas
It was another day of disruption and despair for thousands of Christchurch residents as the Port Hills wildfires continued to blaze a path of destruction at the edge of the country’s second largest city.
A state of emergency was declared and about eight homes had been destroyed by last night after a wind change put southwestern suburbs in the danger zone from the twin blazes in Marley Hill and Early Valley.
Last night up to 1000 people had left their homes in suburbs near the Port Hills — about a third as part of compulsory evacuations.
In the latest evacuations before the Herald went to print, police and the Defence Force began an immediate evacuation of Cashmere Hills residents after the fire jumped Dyers Pass Rd into Victoria Park.
Those living near the Sign of the Takahe restaurant were affected, as were residents on the south side of Cashmere Rd to Kennedys Bush Rd and to Hoon Hay Valley Rd.
Christchurch police planned extra patrols last night to assist people affected by the fires.
Selwyn District Council spokesman Stephen Hill said the Marley Hill fire spread down Worsley Spur yesterday, extensively burning vegetation in the Christchurch Adven- ture Park. It was also approaching the residential area of Westmoreland.
The Early Valley Rd fire area was also spreading last night.
“The fires are within an estimated 1655-hectare area — not all of this area is alight as the fire has been extinguished in some locations.”
Helicopters and fixed planes were stood down overnight, but fire crews remained on the ground.
Niki Davis, a professor at the University of Canterbury, lives on Cashmere’s Bengal Dr, at the base of the Port Hills, and was last night preparing to evacuate if necessary.
She was standing at the end of her street staring at the “thick, black plumes” of smoke pouring from the hills. The smoke was so heavy it shrouded parts of the fiery hills.
“You can’t even see the hills in parts, the smoke is just so thick.”
At least 10 roads were closed and authorities told people to stay away from areas where emergency crews were working.
Authorities were grateful for offers of assistance and donated goods, but said they were not yet needed. However a relief fund will be set up for those affected.
Yesterday, almost 48 hours since the fires started early on Monday evening, 15 helicopters and two aircraft were operating at three sites.
Fifteen fire crews, with 120 firefighters and support crew, were also involved in ground operations as of yesterday morning.
Civil Defence and Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee announced more Defence Force support including personnel and equipment, such as water tankers from Christchurch’s Burnham Military Camp.
The transmission tower at the summit of Sugarloaf was under threat from the fire last night. The site provides television and radio services for the Christchurch area.
Prime Minister Bill English said the fire seemed to be getting “disturbingly close” to houses.
“And you’ve got some reasonably significant evacuations going on.”
The state of emergency applied to both Christchurch City and Selwyn District.
Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel said a multi-agency response was needed.
“We need to be able to draw on all the resources possible to give our residents confidence in the [response].”
Meanwhile, it emerged yesterday that the pilot killed when his Squirrel helicopter crashed near Sugarloaf carpark during firefighting on Tuesday was a decorated war hero.
David Steven Askin, known as Steve, served with the 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment in Afghanistan and was awarded the New Zealand Gallantry Star, the second-highest military honour a Kiwi soldier can receive, in 2014.
The 38-year-old was wounded in a five-hour grenade-and-gun battle against the Taliban after members of the Islamic group stormed the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul in 2011.
A Defence Force spokesman said Askin showed “exceptional bravery” during this and other missions, rescuing guests from the hotel as a fire broke out despite being injured.
A Givealittle page — One Great Man — set up to help Askin’s family, including contributing towards his children’s education, had raised $18,132 by 11.30pm last night.
Police, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission are investigating the Waimakariri man’s death and his helicopter is expected to be removed today, weather and fire conditions permitting.