Homes evacuated, hundreds without power as crews battle Roxburgh blaze

Some homes have been evacuated and power was cut to hundreds of people as fire crews battled a blaze near Roxburgh on Monday. A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) spokesman said they received multiple calls about 2.45pm about pine trees on fire in Roxburgh East, across the Clutha River from Roxburgh township. In an update on Monday evening Fenz said the fire was not yet under control, and crews were still working to protect residential buildings. Winds that had fanned the flames for much of the afternoon had dropped, and it had started to rain, which would help considerably, a Fenz spokesman said. Six homes on Ladysmith Rd had been evacuated as a precaution.There had been no damage to any properties.