A fire in the hills above Cromwell is now under control.
It broke out about 1pm between Bannockburn and Cornish Point, in an area where there are vineyards.
Four helicopters battled the blaze.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman told Newshub four fire trucks were initially called to the fire before another two were sent as backup.
Speaking from the scene, Newshub cameraman Jeff Aldridge said residents heard a "loud explosion" before it broke out.
The fire quickly broke out into scrub, he said, and initially threatened two homes.
Newshub.
