Police investigating multiple fires over the weekend

Chris Lynch
Chris Lynch
Jul 28, 2025 |
Police and Fire and Emergency are still investigating a spate of suspicious fires which occurred on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Crews were first alerted to the fire at the Waimakariri riverbed, near the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge, around 9pm on Friday.
Incident Controller Graeme Knight said the fire was approximately 60 hectares in size and has burnt through gorse, broom, and pine trees.
Photo / Andrea Zoe

Photo / Andrea Zoe

The incident is one of several suspicious fires that kept crews busy across the Selwyn District.

Emergency services were called shortly after 3AM to reports of small fires on several streets in Darfield and Rolleston.

In Darfield, fires were reported on Addingtons Road, Bleak House Road, Tramway Road, and Old West Coast Road.

In Rolleston, affected streets included Hoskyns Road, Izone Drive, and Westland Place.

Police are treating the fires as suspicious and are appealing to the public for information.

Information can be passed on by calling Police on 105, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.


Chris Lynch
Chris Lynch

Chris Lynch is a journalist, videographer and content producer, broadcasting from his independent news and production company in Christchurch, New Zealand. If you have a news tip or are interested in video content, email [email protected]

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