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Port Hills blaze: what has been learnt one year on?

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Tue, 13 Feb 2018, 6:49AM
Part of the blaze at Worsleys. (Photo / Oliver Watson)
Part of the blaze at Worsleys. (Photo / Oliver Watson)

Port Hills blaze: what has been learnt one year on?

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Tue, 13 Feb 2018, 6:49AM

Today marks the one year anniversary of the devastating Port Hill fires.

It saw 300 firefighters and a number of helicopters tackle the blaze over an area as big as 1600 rugby fields.

The fire broke out on February 13, 2017 and took 66 days to extinguish, destroying nine homes along its path and claiming the life of helicopter pilot Steve Askin in a crash while fighting the flames.

Fire and Emergency NZ believe the fire - which originally began as two separate fires - was deliberately lit, however, no one has been charged over the matter and it remains in the hands of the police.

One year on, Christchurch's Mayor is looking back on what she learnt from the disaster.

Lianne Dalziel says in hindsight she'd declare the state of emergency sooner.

"Because we could've actually forewarned people of the risk that they would be required to evacuated, meaning they'd be much better prepared."

She says she's thinking of Steve Askin's family at this time.

"There really is no greater sacrifice than to give your life in service to others, and our hearts are with them. I know an anniversary is always really hard."

Selwyn District Council Mayor Sam Broughton says it's been a tough year for the residents who were effected, particularly as no one has been held accountable.

"We would all like to know who started the fires and why they started them. To leave things unresolved never sits well."

Broughton says fire risk is something we have to live with.

"As climate change continues to throw extreme weather at us, summers and so on will continue to be warmer and hotter and drier, as predicted. So fire is something that we will always need to be aware of."

Some residents remain frustrated over how the fires unfolded.

Local Roger Beattie says one year on and not much has changed.

"The fires really weren't too much of a problem, it was the bureaucratic obstacles during the fire and afterwards that were the problems. We've gone backwards, we've learnt nothing. We've unlearnt things."

Beattie says he has joined forces with neighbours to plant seeds, build fences and mow the grass.

"We don't feel safe because of the fire brigade, we feel safe because we are taking things into our own hands."

He believes the official report into the fire was a coverup.

- with content from NZ Newswire 

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