More than 600 hectares of land in Christchurch’s Port Hills were consumed by flames after a fire broke out on Monday, February 13.

New Zealand news outlet Stuff reported resources were being stretched between two out-of-control scrub fires, and firefighters were expected to battle the blaze for another two to three days.

Radio NZ reported at least 24 homes were evacuated and livestock in the area were killed as the fire ripped through houses.

During the firefighting operations, it was reported one of the 15 helicopters involved in containing the blaze crashed during air flight operations. A spokesman for St John ambulance confirmed the pilot was killed. Credit: Rob Stowell via Storyful