Second blaze forces residents out in Nelson
Nelson residents were being evacuated yesterday evening after a second fire broke out in Walters Bluff. The fire was located in Sir Stanley Whitehead Reserve.
Nelson City Council posted to Facebook saying, “If you’ve been evacuated following the Walters Bluff fire and you need accommodation; please go to the Saxton Stadium Civil Defense Centre at Saxton Field, Main Rd Stoke.”
Five helicopters were in action on the hill and nearly 30 personnel from Canterbury councils had been deployed to help respond.
Cambria St, Weka St, Atawhai Cres and Milton St were closed and people were also asked to avoid QEII Drive and stay away from the surrounding area.
Founders Heritage Park had been closed and the NBus Atawhai service was suspended.
A witness who works nearby, who had been evacuated, said the blaze sparked up after 2.30pm.
“One of the girls saw smoke and we got a call shortly afterwards to evacuate.
“It’s a big blaze, there are five helicopters here.”
Shane Paratene suspects foul play.
“Someone lit [it], saw it take off, and me and my boy went up the hill with a bucket,” he told the Nelson App.
Telecommunications provider Spark said a cell tower in Wakefield was in the direct path of the fire. Flame retardant had been deployed at the tower, and the company was trying to bring in a back-up cell site.
That meant mobile coverage could be affected in the area while the work was carried out.
Earlier the council advised people stay out of area and close windows if they smelt smoke.
A caller to Newstalk ZB named Tony said he watched the flames go up.
He said the blaze took hold very quickly and was spreading across the back of houses, and said it looked like they were ready to go up in flames.
Matt Armitage, who lives about 8km from the fire, said helicopters were going back and forth to fight the fire: “They got on top of it pretty quick, but because it is so dry it is still spreading” There is a sea breeze coming through which is the last thing we need.”
The fire located northeast of the city started just before 3pm and brought no respite for firefighters who have been tackling a large fire in Pigeon Valley near Nelson since Tuesday.
Canterbury Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) group duty officer Gavin Treadgold said as of yesterday afternoon it had sent an additional 22 response team volunteers to provide support to the fire response.
It is expected the deployment will last through the weekend.