Fire! Fire everywhere!

There is a massive fire in the Port Hills. The top photo is viewed from home. Dave was out and he saw this firetruck on the way to fight the fire having its own pyrotechnical difficulties. LARGE gives details.

So says Stuff:
" Firefighters are battling a large scrub fire on the Port Hills in Christchurch this afternoon. The Fire Service said the fire was covering thousands of square metres and units from Governor's Bay, Lyttelton, Addington, and Woolston were fighting the fire. It is believed the blaze broke out about 3.15pm.

Two helicopters and four tankers were being used to douse the blaze. Three more tankers from city care were en route. A fill-up point for the helicopter monsoon buckets has been set up at Lyttleton wharf. A resident who was running in the area says the thick smoke from the fire made it difficult to breathe.

Police were setting up road blocks in the area. It is not known whether the fire is suspicious at this stage."