A contractor ploughing a paddock in Pigeon Valley is believed to have sparked the bush fire that has spread across Nelson. Fire authorities have confirmed the fire started near Tasman Pine Forests land on Tuesday afternoon. Several sources have said the fire started by a contractor using a disc plough - a piece of farming equipment - in a paddock opposite the forestry block. READ MORE:* Live: Helicopters battle Nelson bush fires* Nelson bush fire: New blaze seen as crews fight 'horrendous' wildfire* Nelson bush fire: Aorere Enduro race cancelled* Rabbit Island fire site monitoredAt a press conference on Wednesday, Grant Haywood, Fire and Emergency Tasman area commander, said he could not confirm whether the farming equipment started the fire. A specialist fire investigator is yet to start an investigation, however it's understood the results will be known in a few days.

Source: Stuff February 06, 2019 02:48 UTC