Swimming pool helps save Port Hills houses

A swimming pool has helped save the Port Hills from becoming a complete wasteland after the area became engulfed in flames last week.

Helicopters with monsoon buckets raced to douse the out-of-control blaze last Wednesday as it moved towards Worsleys Rd homes.

Senior constable Rod Fraser was helping evacuate residents in the area at the time, when he stumbled upon a life-saving source of water - a pool at one of the properties.

Fraser arranged for a fire hose to constantly refill the pool, from which rescue choppers could fill their monsoon buckets to fight the blaze, in turn protecting the Worsleys Rd home from total destruction, and probably other houses in the Port Hills.

Cordons on Worsleys Rd were only lifted this morning, making it one of the last areas to be reopened to residents desperate to return home - some for the first time since being evacuated.

Kennedys Bush Rd and Hoon Hay Valley Rd were also reopened to homeowners in the area, however all three roads remain closed to the general public until further notice.

Civil Defence has advised non-residents who need access to these restricted zones, such as tradespeople, insurance representatives and those who own land within the area but live elsewhere, to report to the cordon sign-in area to gain an entry permit.

Visitors are no longer required to travel to Princess Margaret Hospital to gain access through a cordon and do not need to be accompanied by a resident before proceeding into the area.

"The registration process is still necessary because all of these newly reoccupied areas are close to the active fire-ground and it is essential Civil Defence knows who is within the cordons and how to contact them at any given time," said Civil Defence controller David Adamson.

Residents whose properties were directly affected by the fire are being encouraged to have a qualified arborist check all mature trees.

Many fire-damaged trees are being felled on roadsides in Port Hills, Civil Defence said in a statement.

A few properties on Dyers Pass Rd and Summit Rd remain cordoned off due to ongoing fire risk and other safety concerns.

Civil Defence Welfare staff will be contacting these residents directly.