Dramatic footage has emerged from the Christchurch street covered with insulation and debris from a large explosion.
A number of people have been injured in an explosion on the Christchurch street of Marble Ct which occurred at about 10:15am.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) spokesperson told Newshub four fire appliances were in attendance.
Footage from the scene obtained by Newshub shows debris across a number of properties. Fire appliances can be seen on scene while people were helping several individuals on the ground.
A Google street view of Marble Ct matches with the footage obtained by Newshub.
Flames and smoke can be seen coming from a house.
Police said in a statement that evacuations were occuring around the affected properties. Road closures are also in place. Motorists are asked to avoid the area.
A man near the cordon told Newshub damage had been caused to their house.
"It's busted in all the ranchslider doors and windows and ripped them off the house.
"It looks like the house if fairly close to ours."
Twitter posters have reported hearing the explosion from as far away as West Melton.
Newshub.
