It's been a long night for Christchurch residents. Here's what you need to know first thing this morning.

Paul Askin has spent years fearing terrible news about his son Steve. On Tuesday, that moment came when the chopper pilot died fighting Christchurch's fires.

Evacuated family reveal the panicked scene of scared, fleeing families.

Hundreds of people are offering beds, blankets and home baking to those who have been displaced by the fires.

More than 1000 residents have fled their homes as a huge fire rages on in Christchurch.

Civil Defence minister questions the emergency response to the Port Hills fires, which have destroyed five houses and caused hundreds to flee.

Police and the Defence Force personnel go door-to-door evacuating residents.

Christchurch City Council have declared a state of emergency and have started evacuating residents in the fire-struck Port Hills area

There is no contingency plan if the Port Hills fires are not under control by the time helicopters and planes have to stop fighting it at nightfall.