Fire authorities say they have contained a massive bush fire just south of Nelson but are bracing themselves for stronger winds on Friday afternoon.
Between 200 to 300 hectares of pine plantation, scrub and native
bush has been damaged on Tadmore Saddle, near Tapawera.
One house has been destroyed and another has been damaged.
Rural fire officer Tim King says the fire will take days to
extinguish totally and an expected northwesterly wind could fan the
flames.
Around 40 firefighters and nine helicopters are still on
site.
The fire began about 4.15pm Thursday and was fanned by strong
winds.
Nearby homes were evacuated at 5pm and within four hours about 50 hectares were burning and one house had been damaged.
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