Hundreds evacuated as Wellington wildfire spreads
Hundreds evacuated as Wellington wildfire spreads
23 February 2010
published by www.odt.co.nz
About 450 people have been forced from their homes after Wellington winds moved a scrub fire over a kilometre and a half from where it started and spread it out over 20 hectares.
The blaze, in the hills near the Titahi Bay Golf Course, north of the city, caused the evacuation of inhabitants of Gloaming Hill.
Four helicopters and about 14 firecrews were fighting the fire, which had spread over a kilometre and a half since it was reported about 4.20pm today, fire service central communications shift manager Murray Dunbar told NZPA.
The fire had earlier caused the evacuation of the golf course and a number of houses, after spreading rapidly over 20ha of bush, Mr Dunbar said.
The evacuated people had gone to a nearby community hall until they are able to return to their houses.
“Fortunately, it was in a fairly remote area. It was prime conditions for fire today — windy and dry,” Mr Dunbar said
