Children playing with lighter spark major fire

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Children playing with a lighter started a fire that threatened nearby homes in Christchurch's Port Hills today.

Eight fire engines and a helicopter fought the large scrub fire in Huntsbury which started just before 1pm.

Firefighters managed to get the fire under control by 3pm but one fire crew remained on into the evening dampening down hot spots.

A Fire Service spokeswoman said that at one stage the blaze threatened two homes.

Fire safety officer Graham Davies said the children had found the cigarette lighter and began playing with it. He believed they had no intention of deliberately starting the fire.

"It wasn't a malicious act. They didn't intend to set the place on fire. The parents didn't smoke, they didn't get the lighter from them, they found it and just began playing with it.''

Mr Davies said when the fire began the children attempted to put the fire out. But they were unsuccessful and it began spreading. In parts the fire was only metres away from nearby properties.

"They then realised it was time to get out of there,'' he said.

Mr Davies said the incident highlighted the importance in teaching children that matches and lighters were not toys and the consequences of fire could be deadly.

"Just remind children that matches and lighters are tools and not toys - if you find them hand them to an adult,'' Mr Davies said.

He said the children would attend a youth aid programme.

Local resident Kathryn Denne discovered the fire nearby after she smelt the smoke and was concerned her home would catch fire.