Multiple f ires over 2km of SH1
A passing train is likely to have caused a blaze that sparked multiple fires spread over 2 kilometres along State Highway 1 south of Christchurch.
The blaze broke out midafternoon yesterday between Rolleston and Islington, closing SH1 and causing traffic to back up in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius.
Plumes of thick smoke blanketed the area as cabbage trees, low shrubs and grass on the side of the highway caught fire.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) spokeswoman said firefighters were called to Main South Rd (SH1), near the intersection with Kirk Rd, about 3.30pm yesterday.
There were ‘‘multiple fires’’ near the train tracks between Rolleston and Islington, the spokeswoman said.
FENZ Canterbury area commander Mike Johns said at the fire’s peak there were up to six ‘‘spot fires’’ spread over 2km. Crews from 12 fire engines fought the blaze.
The fire had been contained by about 5pm, and firefighters dampened down hotspots. No homes were threatened.
Fire investigator Wayne Hamilton said a passing train was likely to have caused the blaze. FENZ and
KiwiRail would conduct a investigation today, he said.
The train was stopped in Rolleston and would remain there until it had been looked at.
Firefighters would likely monitor the scene overnight, Hamilton said.
KiwiRail South Island operations general manager Jeanine Benson said a train travelling through the area was being inspected.
‘‘Extreme temperatures have seen significantly drier vegetation conditions along the rail corridor this summer,’’ Benson said. KiwiRail was working to minimise the risks, including limiting the power of locomotives as they travelled through dry areas, she said.
The TranzAlpine was delayed at Darfield on its return to Christchurch and replacement buses were provided. Freight services were also affected, with delays expected, she said.
Kelly Mustoe was travelling with three friends from Dunedin to Christchurch to see Phil Collins when they noticed smoke about 1km south of Templeton. It was before emergency services arrived, about 3.30pm, and it was hot. Earlier, the temperature in the car was showing 37C.
After passing through Templeton, they noticed patches
full of fire on the side of the road, in low shrubs and on the grass verge. At one point, the top of a tree was ablaze.
‘‘All of a sudden there were flames beside us, the flames were literally right on the side of the road,’’ Mustoe said.
The Dunedin woman was in the back seat with a friend. At the point where the fire came closest to the highway, they could feel the heat, she said.
‘‘We both said at the same time, ‘wow that’s hot’. It was a little bit nerve-wracking.’’
Shortly before they came across the fire, Mustoe and her friends noticed a train travelling south on the railway tracks adjacent to the highway.
‘‘We were actually commenting on how fast it was travelling, and it was right by the train tracks where the fire was,’’ she said.
A witness at the scene said he could see smoke that was several hundred metres high.
‘‘You can’t see flames [but] it’s covering houses and the road . . . traffic’s being diverted in all directions.’’
According to MetService, the temperature reached 34 degrees Celsius in Rolleston about 4pm. SH1 was closed between Trents Rd and Marshs Rd but reopened about 6.15pm.