Firefighters are continuing to work to extinguish two large vegetation fires in North Canterbury that have destroyed two homes and a church.
The two fires — which broke out yesterday afternoon in Loburn near Rangiora, and near the town of Amberley — have forced people out of their properties.
Overnight, about 17 firefighters in Loburn monitored and dampened down hotspots in the 10ha area along Loburn Whiterock Rd.
“This morning the roads around the Loburn fires remain closed while around 30 fresh firefighters and six staff, supported by heavy machinery, work to fully extinguish the fires in the area,” a Fire and Emergency spokesperson said.
“They will be supported by aircraft if needed. Windier conditions are expected later today.”
Fire and Emergency Incident Controller Colin Russell said on Saturday that crews are making good progress battling the fire.
“We had some 70-odd people working on the fire last night, and they made some really good progress,”
“We’ve got the fire contained and controlled,” Russell said.
He confirmed two houses were destroyed in the fire, as well as a church.
“There were three structures involved: two private houses and a privately-owned church building, which used to be St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Lowburn and is now privately owned.”
Waimakiriri Mayor Dan Gordon said his heart goes out to the people who were affected.
“Our community does get behind people at these times, but our priority at the moment is to work alongside the amazing Fenz crews and offer all the support we can, including welfare.”
Gordon thanked fire crews for helping save family pets and farm animals.
“These guys went out and fed their pets and looked after chickens. For families, their pets are really important to them, and that was a great comfort to people last night.”
Fire and Emergency said the fire at Amberley was contained and controlled.
“Overnight around 17 firefighters worked to monitor and dampen down hotspots.”
“Today, six crews supported by heavy machinery are continuing the work on hotspots and flare-ups. One helicopter is on standby,” a Fenz spokesperson said.
It is expected it will take several days to fully extinguish the fire at Amberley.
“Residents who were evacuated from the area near the fire ground have been allowed back home.”
“Cordon remains in place and people are asked to stay well away from the area to let our crews focus on their work.”
Resident Elizabeth du Plessis, who lost her property to the fire, told the Herald she’s devastated.
“It started around 2pm yesterday, I was busy with payments in the office and someone knocked down the door almost to say your property is on fire.”
“Now today, we are evaluating the property; that’s our livelihood,” Du Plessis said.
Resident George Gooderham told the Herald he was painting inside his property when he smelled smoke and went outside to see his whole hedge on fire.
“It came too close to comfort really.
“I’ve been awake all night, pretty much had about an hour’s sleep, just trying to find hotspots and ensuring that the wind didn’t pick up and keep it going,” Gooderham said.
Loburn resident Sarah Rowbotham said she and other people scrambled to rescue horses from a nearby field as the fire spread.
“We just got in and did it; you don’t think about what’s around you, just to get them to safety,” she said.
“[A post] was put up for help, and we were right there, so we got our float and another lady up the road so it could be done in one hit. Okuku/Loburn has a fantastic community like that.”
Rowbotham told the Herald they moved the horses about 1km when the wind was blowing away from them. “The horses were terrified of the helicopters, so it took a bit of catching.”
