A large scrub fire in a Wellington suburb which threatened up
to 30 houses and forced the evacuation of up to 70 residents
was under control this morning.
Fire Service assistant area manager for Wellington Brett
Lockyer said the blaze overnight covered about 50 hectares in
Happy Valley.
About 30 houses had to be evacuated as the fire threatened to
spread.
Up to 70 residents were forced to flee, many of whom spent
the night in an emergency evacuation centre at Happy Valley
School.
Mr Lockyer said three helicopters with monsoon buckets were
used to fight the fire.
"At the height of the fire there was a lot of work and it was
a fast-burning fire but at this stage there's been a change
in wind direction which has assisted us - moving the fire
away from the houses - and the fire crews are making good
progress. It is safe to say the fire is under control."
The blaze is thought to have started about 2am.
Mr Lockyer said the cause of the fire was under
investigation.
The scene of the fire is close to the city's landfill.
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