Firefighters are at a large scrub fire at Rolleston, near Christchurch, which has seen three houses damaged.

The fire is in the area of Hoskyn Road, contrary to earlier reports that it was on Knights Road.

It is a major incident with at least 13 fire engines involved, three helicopter, 10 water tankers, multiple police and now St John ambulance.

🚒 KNIGHTS RD - This is now a major incident with at least 15 fire trucks involved, a helicopter, multiple police and now St John. Evacuations are in progress and road blocks are being established. #Rolleston #Fire #Breaking

— Christchurch Live (@03alert) December 23, 2017

"We have three houses that have been damaged by the fire and we've not yet got the fire contained," a Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson said.

The fire is covering several square kilometres of land, including grass paddocks and shelter belts and it is windy.

A police spokeswoman said police were assisting by establishing a perimeter in the area.

People who live on Hoskyns Road have been evacuated.

Anyone who has been asked to leave their address can gather at the Community Centre on Rolleston Drive.

The blaze started on a Knights Rd property and has since spread across paddocks.

Local Jason Shaw said the fire was at least two storeys high.

He told the New Zealand Herald he'd spoken to a relative at Christchurch Airport, about 20km away, who said they could see the smoke from there.

Ground conditions in the area are dry.

- NZ Newswire