21 Feb 2017

Port Hills fire: Major cordon to be lifted

9:09 pm on 21 February 2017

Fire evacuees on Christchurch's Worsleys Road will be allowed back to their homes on Wednesday morning.

A house on Worsleys Road that was completely destroyed by the flames.

This house on Worsleys Road was completely destroyed by the flames (file). Photo: RNZ / Sharon Brettkelly

Civil Defence said, based on the latest fire assessment information, the cordon up to the start of the Worsleys Track would open from 9am.

A number of homes were destroyed on Worsleys Road, with those affected allowed back briefly since to see the damage. About 50 undamaged homes on the road were cordoned off.

Two other cordons - on Kennedys Bush Road and Hoon Hay Valley Road - were lifted today, allowing access to more than 100 properties.

There are still a small number of properties on Dyers Pass and Summit Road cordoned off because of fire risk and other safety concerns.

The Fire Service said warmer temperatures caused some minor flare-ups today but all had been dealt with.

The state of emergency for affected areas has been extended until next week.

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