Ten homes in Auckland's Greenhithe were evacuated while firefighters battled to contain a 5ha vegetation fire on Monday, police said. Eight Fire and Emergency crews and a helicopter with a monsoon bucket responded to the blaze on Upper Harbour Drive at 12.15pm. The road was closed between Greenhithe Rd and Emily Lane, and is expected to re-open at 8pm. Plumes of white smoke could be seen as far as Auckland's CBD, and residents in Hobsonville Point reported smelling the smoke. Photo / Dean PurcellMarie Mitchell said she saw flames leaping around 20m in the air from her home on Kyle Rd in Upper Harbour.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 01, 2021 00:28 UTC