Train sparks 5 fires

Christchurch: A southbound train sparked a series of scrub fires outside Christchurch yesterday .

The Dunedinbound train was stopped just north of Rolleston after it caused the outbreak of about five fires in trackside vegetation by State Highway 1, near Templeton.

Five fire engines and two tankers attended about 12.40pm.

The biggest fire spread over about 50m x 50m, Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman Andrew Norris said.

The train was checked before continuing south.