It's understood the burglary took place during the two-hour window available to evacuated residents to visit their properties. Nelson police are investigating reports of a burglary at a property evacuated from the Moutere Hills fire on Wednesday. On Wednesday afternoon, 97 properties in the Redwood Valley area were told to leave their homes when the fire broke out. A police spokeswoman said Nelson police received a report of a burglary in the Redwood Valley which took place during the evacuation period. At its height, the fire covered 13 hectares and had got within 1km of properties in Redwood Valley and within 300m of the nearest house on the Moutere Highway.

Source: Stuff February 28, 2019 20:16 UTC