Emergency services were alerted to a vegetation fire in paddocks on a Wild Road property at approximately 11.45am this morning (9 January 2015). Wild Road is currently closed between Maddisons Road and Newtons Road while the Fire Service work to contain and extinguish the fire.
There are currently no properties under immediate threat, however a number of residents in the area have been evacuated as a precaution. Residents are expected allowed back into their properties in the next 30 minutes.
13 fire appliances and tankers from Sockburn, Rolleston, Kirwee, Lincoln, Burnham, Dunsandel and Southbridge are at the scene with the NZ Fire Service command unit from Christchurch. A helicopter equipped with a monsoon bucket is helping the Fire Service and they are refilling the bucket from private swimming pools in the area. Canterbury Police are also at the scene managing cordons and assisting the fire service with security surrounding the scene.
Canterbury Police and the Fire Service ask that the public stay away from the area where possible. No residential dwellings have been damaged and there are currently no properties under immediate threat.
Canterbury Police and Fire Service investigators will conduct a scene examination to determine the cause of the fire when it is safe to do so.
Wilds Road is likely to be closed for at least the next two hours.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404
