Families flee fire threat

Bone-dry conditions and flying debris formed a potentially lethal combination for North Otago firefighters battling a massive scrub fire on Tuesday night in Georgetown.

Thirty firefighters from the Duntroon, Glenavy and Windsor rural fire units fought the blaze, which appeared to have ignited from farm machinery sparks, Waitaki District principal rural fire officer Eric Spittal said. Emergency services were called about 5.30pm to the "extremely spectacular" fire, which had a 500m front and was fanned by 40km/h winds, he said yesterday.

The winds died down and firefighters had the blaze under control by about 8.45pm.

Ten families had to be evacuated as firefighters feared the blaze was getting close to their homes.

The evacuees have now returned home.

- NZPA