Swift action by volunteer firefighters and calm weather conditions meant that a fire on land near the Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park was rapidly extinguished early today.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said the fire, under pine trees near the holiday park, was viewed as suspicious, and had been referred to the police.
After being alerted at 2.39am, two crews of firefighters extinguished the more than 60sqm fire, burning under pine trees, in an area near the Manapouri-Te Anau Highway, in Southland, he said.
Holiday park general manager Roger Hyde said the fire was not at the park property, or in its ownership, but at another nearby wooded area.
Mr Hyde was ‘‘just grateful’’ that swift action by the Te Anau firefighters and calm weather conditions meant the fire was quickly extinguished with no disruption to holiday park business and no damage to park facilities.
Firefighters had gained full access through the park, but because flashing lights rather than sirens were used, many people staying at the park had been unaware of the fire until much later in the morning, he said.
