Homes destroyed, residents evacuated in Christchurch fires

A helicopter dumps fire retardant on wildfires near Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island

Hundreds of homes have been evacuated in the New Zealand city of Christchurch as a huge wildfire rages on its outskirts, the BBC reported on Thursday.

A state of emergency has been declared in the city and neighbouring Selwyn District and the military has been deployed to help firefighters.

At least 11 homes have already been destroyed and smoke has spread across the city.

Source: MENA