A vegetation fire in Spinnaker Reserve in Whitby. Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Police have confirmed a fire in Spinnaker Reserve in Whitby, Porirua, is being treated as suspicious.
Firefighters were called to the blaze about 2pm on Wednesday afternoon.
It came only a day after a restricted fire season was announced by FENZ for the Porirua and Kāpiti Coast areas - from January 28 until further notice - due to extremely dry conditions.
A restricted fire season meant anyone who wanted to light an outdoor fire must go to checkitsalright.nz and apply for a fire permit authorised by Fire and Emergency.
Local resident Ethan Oliver, who was told to stay out of his home while firefighters put out the blaze, told RNZ it was like "a tinderbox back there".
Incident controller Steve Hudson told RNZ at the scene the fire - which backed onto some properties on Mercury Way - grew to nearly 500 square metres, with firefighters working on steep terrain.
It was under control by 3.30pm and firefighters had left the scene by evening.
Nobody was injured but some homes were evacuated as a precaution.
Police said on Wednesday they would like to hear from anyone with information relating to the bush fire, including CCTV or dashcam footage.
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