Long weekend fire started near student 'drinking spot'

Police are investigating whether a group of partying university students may have started a large hedge fire in Lincoln.

The 100m blaze on Ellesmere Junction Rd, across from Lincoln university, broke out at 12.47am on King’s Birthday and required nine fire trucks to bring it under control.

Several nearby houses were evacuated as a precaution.

Lincoln Volunteer Fire Brigade deputy chief Tim Quinlivan said crews found piles of cans and bottles as well as camping chairs near where the fire started.

“It looks like all the students are using it as their drinking spot,” he said.

Alcohol consumption is banned on the campus but the land where the fire happened is owned by the university but sits outside the campus boundary.

Quinlivan said there was not enough evidence to say whether the fire was started deliberately.

“We couldn’t determine the exact cause.”

He said the fire was too far from the road for a cigarette thrown from a passing vehicle to be the cause.

“It wouldn’t have started by itself,” he said.

Six university-owned houses across the road were evacuated as embers blew towards the properties.

“Luckily, there was not too much, so we could get it under control quite quickly.”

Fire crews remained at the scene until about 6am, damping down hotspots.

A police spokesperson said the fire was being treated as unexplained.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police online at 105.police.govt.nz or call 105. Please use the reference number 260601/2010,” the spokesperson said.

The university declined to comment while the police investigation is ongoing but confirmed it owns the land where the fire happened.

The blaze comes as discussions continue between the Selwyn District Council, police and the university about a proposed alcohol ban in the centre of Lincoln aimed at curbing students drinking in the street.

The proposed alcohol ban has support from the university and some local business owners.