Firefighters have contained a fire which burnt through lifestyle blocks and farmland near Rolleston this afternoon.
Firefighters dampen hot spots in Rolleston. Photo: RNZ / Conan Young
The blaze closed State Highway 1 and, at its height, was battled by four helicopters with monsoon buckets and crews from Christchurch, the Selywn district and other areas.
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One resident poured water from his swimming pool to save his house from the blaze, which got to within a few metres of his home, while another swimming pool across the road was being used to fill the monsoon buckets of helicopters.
A Selwyn District Council spokesperson said it spread through about 15 hectares of farmland but no homes were damaged.
Two helicopters were continuing to fight the fire, the cause of which was unknown.
A helicopter fills monsoon bucket from a swimming pool. Photo: RNZ / Conan Young
A digger and fire engines attack the rubbish pile from the ground. Photo: RNZ / Conan Young