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* Live: Homes evacuated as Christchurch Port Hills fire rage out of control

* Christchurch family devastated their home is ash

* Pilot who died fighting Christchurch fires was ex-SAS member David Steven Askin

* Thick smoke triggers health warning

* Lucky escape for Christchurch family home

* Photos: Huge fires tear through Christchurch's Port Hills

* Christchurch Port Hills ablaze

* Live: Huge blaze spreads near Hastings

* Huge fire prompts state of emergency in Hawke's Bay

Civil Defence said police were evacuating residents downhill of the Sign of the Takahe on Dyers Pass Rd as far down as, and including, Kiteroa Place and Pentre Tce. The fires, which have raged since Monday afternoon, claimed the life of 38-year-old helicopter pilot David Steven Askin, who was killed while fighting the flames. WELLINGTON: More than 1,000 people were evacuated from their homes and a state of emergency was declared in New Zealand's third largest city of Christchurch on Thursday (Feb 16) after a wildfire threatens homes. "I could see that the smoke and the flames were being blown right up toward our house and I just yelled 'get out, get out! The blaze, which was visible from Bengal Dr early on Thursday morning, was continuing to take hold of land surrounding the new Christchurch Adventure Park. Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee announced late on Wednesday that the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) could provide logistics personnel and equipment from Burnham Military Camp.
At least eight homes are destroyed as a wildfire rages out of control in the Port Hills, in the southern outskirts of Christchurch, New Zealand. A pilot died when his helicopter crashed while fighting the fire.