Fire in Ashburton that burned building contained, multiple fire crews remain on site

A blaze in Ashburton, Canterbury, has been contained after it burned a building and a 150m hedgeline and forced six appliances to attend.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) told the Herald a rural fire truck, four tankers and several other support vehicles were called to the blaze about 5.30pm today.

A shed, 100m of a hedge and 25ha of a paddock were burning when fire crews arrived.

Smoke rises from the horizon in Ashburton, as a shed, hedge, and 25ha of a paddock go up in flames. Photo / Paul Jaryd

A blaze in Ashburton, Canterbury, has been contained after it burned a building and a 150m hedgeline, forcing six appliances to attend. Photo / Fenz Mid-South Canterbury

“The fire was contained around 6.45pm, and five fire trucks, four tankers, and multiple support vehicles remain in attendance,” a Fenz spokesperson said.

“They are dampening down hot spots.”

The blaze comes as firefighters and helicopters continue battling a major fire on Christchurch’s Port Hills, about 70km away.