Firefighters try to save a house from fire on Port Hills in Christchurch. The fires destroyed nine houses and one helicopter pilot died fighting the blaze. Photo: Supplied
The owners of the Christchurch Adventure Park will have to pay millions of dollars to people whose homes were damaged in the 2017 Port Hills fire.
The park has lost its appeal to overturn a previous decision in a lawsuit worth more than $12million, that was launched by dozens of homeowners.
It found the company caused the fires to spread. It said when the chairlift ran above the flames, its plastic upholstering melted, and ignighted the dry pine slash, rapidly spreading the fire.
The Court of Appeal said there was no reason why costs should not be awarded to the homeowners.
The park is now majority-owned by the Christchurch Council.
The Pine Hills blaze tore through nearly 2000 hectares of land in February 2017, destroying nine homes, and forcing thousands to evacuate their properties.