Christchurch earthquake: Sumner hillside evacuated

Destruction caused by falling boulders in Sumner. Photo / Getty Images

A suburban Sumner hillside was evacuated by police last night amid fears the cliffs could collapse following Tuesday's 6.3 devastating Christchurch earthquake.

Residents were ordered out of their Kinsey Tce homes about 6.30pm yesterday after cracks were spotted underneath houses.

Last night police spokesman Stephen Hill told The Press engineers were assessing the site.

"It's a temporary evacuation. If it is safe they [residents] can go back in," he said.

Kinsey Tce resident Colin Espiner said police quickly evacuated people from their homes.

"I didn't even time to pack a bag. We were just told leave or you'll be arrested," he said.

"The cops starting banging on the door and said you had to get out. I don't know what they'd seen but something had really spooked them."

- NZPA