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Christchurch fires: Homes destroyed and residents evacuated | Christchurch fires: Homes destroyed and residents evacuated |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Hundreds of homes have been evacuated in the New Zealand city of Christchurch as a huge wildfire rages on its outskirts. | Hundreds of homes have been evacuated in the New Zealand city of Christchurch as a huge wildfire rages on its outskirts. |
One pilot when his helicopter crashed and least 11 homes have burned down. | |
A state of emergency has been declared in the city and neighbouring Selwyn District and the military has been deployed to help firefighters. | A state of emergency has been declared in the city and neighbouring Selwyn District and the military has been deployed to help firefighters. |
It is unclear what caused the fire, but Prime Minister Bill English has said it "looks a bit suspicious". | |
He stressed that investigations were continuing. | |
On Tuesday, a decorated army pilot was killed when his helicopter crashed as he was tackling the blaze. | |
Cpl David Steven Askin had been awarded for his bravery while deployed in Afghanistan, for helping save the lives of guests during a hotel siege in Kabul in 2011. | Cpl David Steven Askin had been awarded for his bravery while deployed in Afghanistan, for helping save the lives of guests during a hotel siege in Kabul in 2011. |
'Don't leave it too late' | 'Don't leave it too late' |
The Port Hills fire broke out in two separate places on Monday in the dry hills south of Christchurch, before merging into one blaze which now covers abut 1,800ha. | The Port Hills fire broke out in two separate places on Monday in the dry hills south of Christchurch, before merging into one blaze which now covers abut 1,800ha. |
More than 130 firefighters have been deployed, along with 14 helicopters and three aircraft brought in from across the South Island. | More than 130 firefighters have been deployed, along with 14 helicopters and three aircraft brought in from across the South Island. |
A total of 400 homes were evacuated by police, but hundreds of other people have also chosen to leave the area. | A total of 400 homes were evacuated by police, but hundreds of other people have also chosen to leave the area. |
Police Snr Sgt Ash Tabb warned people that fires can change direction and move quickly, giving little time to escape. | Police Snr Sgt Ash Tabb warned people that fires can change direction and move quickly, giving little time to escape. |
"If you're worried, don't leave it too late - it's better to be safe than sorry." | "If you're worried, don't leave it too late - it's better to be safe than sorry." |
A Facebook group has been set up by local residents who are offering rooms or properties for people who have left their homes. | |
One man told New Zealand's Stuff website that he watched his home burn down from a distance. | One man told New Zealand's Stuff website that he watched his home burn down from a distance. |
"I can't believe it's just caught on fire after it survived the night," said Henry Reese. | "I can't believe it's just caught on fire after it survived the night," said Henry Reese. |
On Thursday, Mr English viewed the fire from the air, after which he suggested it could have been started deliberately. | |
"I've only had a very brief description of the fire starting in two places at about the same time, which to me looks suspicious," he said. | |
He earlier said the fire was "contained but not controlled", but that the local community "knows how to stick together when things are difficult". | |
With smoke spreading across the city, the council has issued a warning to residents to see a doctor if they experience breathing difficulties. | With smoke spreading across the city, the council has issued a warning to residents to see a doctor if they experience breathing difficulties. |
Have you been affected by the fires? Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | |
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