Wanaka firefighters (from left) Darren Vedder and Andy Harridge dampen down cabbage trees at the burnt-out scene, alongside Travis Purnell and Hamish Hunt, while property owner Andrew Penniket and deputy fire chief Bruno Gallaway (centre) examine how close things came to buildings. Photo by Matthew Haggart
Property owner Andrew Penniket said the fire came within 10m of his house.
"At first we thought we would be able to get the flames under control ourselves, but then a wind came up and it got away on us so quickly."
A hot fish smoker ignited tinder-dry scrub on land downwind of the property.
Flames from the hillside blaze could be seen from all around the town.
Wanaka Fire Brigade chief Steve Trevathan said the incident was a reminder for people to be mindful of the fire risk situation for the district, which has risen to an extreme level after several days of hot dry conditions.
