The Port Hills fire. Photo: RNZCouncil-owned lines company Orion has been accused at the High Court in Christchurch of making it difficult to properly investigate the cause of the 2017 Port Hills fires. Eighty claimants who suffered property damage want $10 million, alleging negligence by Orion and the Christchurch Adventure Park. He said Orion's replacing of this pole just three days later, and its failure to retain crucial parts of it, obstructed the investigation. Stevens also pointed to the Marleys Hill fire, 4km away, which started 90 minutes later, most likely due to arson.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 03, 2020 02:15 UTC