It's believed a car going too fast over a speed bump caused sparks that flared into a major grassfire in Christchurch.
A thousand square metres of dry vegetation went up in flames near McLeans Island Rd just before 12pm on Saturday.
The flames ripped through 1000 square metres of dry grass before it was contained.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson Andrew Norris said two fire engines and two water tankers were still on scene, dampening down hot spots.
"The initial indication was that there was a property there that was endangered, but the crew have contained the fire and all the properties are safe."
The fire was not being treated as suspicious.
Fire service responding station officer Mark Shawe said it was the prompt response by firefighters that saved nearby properties.
"It was a lot of hard work by the boys on the ground, but they got onto it quickly and stopped a medium-sized fire turning into a large fire."
Mr Shawe said it was a good reminder of the current risks.
"It's going to be a long, hot, dry fire season this year, so we want people to take care around rural areas, and if they see smoke report it to 111."
Newshub.
