Big Lower Hutt fire controlled, police seeking drone user
A large fire running through the Hutt Valley hills has been contained – but police are trying to track down a drone user who put the aerial operation at risk.
Wellington district assistant fire commander Craig Cottrill said operations in Naenae were winding down last night and residents from about a dozen homes that were evacuated had returned.
About six crews were still at the scene monitoring.
Cottrill said the two helicopters being used to put out the blaze had to move away from the fire for about 15 minutes, after reports of a drone flying in the area.
His message to drone operators was, although it might be tempting to go and have a look, ‘‘if you fly, we can’t fly’’.
The fire, which started about 4pm near Wilkie Cres, had spread across two hectares of native vegetation, he said.
An investigation into the cause is under way. Initial reports suggested there may have been a motorcycle in the area, Cottrill said.
A police spokeswoman said police had assisted Fire and Emergency New Zealand [Fenz] at the scene.
‘‘At this early stage the fire is being treated as unexplained, and we will be making follow-up inquiries,’’ she said.
No properties were threatened, Fenz said earlier, but the evacuation helped with the flight path for helicopters working on scene.
The 11 crews are a mix of urban and rural, from Hutt Valley and Wainuiomata.
Monique Prins called 111 about 4pm after noticing the fire from her deck in Kelson, overlooking Naenae.
‘‘It looked bigger in the beginning in a way, it’s a long line. It’s grown either end up the hill and towards the houses,’’ she said.
A fire engine had been sending a ‘‘constant stream’’ of water down towards nearby properties.
Wilkie Cres resident Rebecca Carras said she watched the fire spread up the ridge in front of her house about 20m in five minutes.
‘‘There are flames shooting up at the top of the ridge.’’