Firefighters still monitoring Invercargill blaze

Firefighters were this morning still monitoring to a blaze that has burned about 40 hectares of scrub, pine trees and tussock near Invercargill.

The fire started yesterday afternoon on a roadside at Sandy Point and spread overnight into scrub and a pine plantation before reaching coastal tussock.

Helicopters and several fire units were involved in fighting the blaze and some crews remained this morning.

Rural fire officer Elton Smith said the wind had picked up this morning and a couple of crews were continuing to keep an eye on the fire and dampen down flare-ups.

Firefighters were expected to spend most of today at the scene.

Mr Smith said the fire had burned about a third of a stand of pine trees before spreading to coastal tussock.

He said the cause of the blaze was being investigated but it was too early to say whether or not it may be suspicious.

- NZPA