Winery blaze battle being won

A large grass fire at Yealands Estate Winery near Seddon is close to being contained as fire crews from across Marlborough continue to tackle the blaze.

Fire and Emergency was informed about the fire on Seaview Road outside of Seddon at 11:00am today, which had consumed 25 hectares of grassland upon arrival.

The fire threatened Yealands Estate lands, pushed by 25km/h winds and dry South Marlborough conditions, with the winery was evacuated as a precaution.

Fire trucks and support vehicles from Seddon, Awatere, Blenheim, Blenheim Rural, Flaxbourne, and Rarangi alongside three helicopters were scrambled, and firefighters are are close to containing the fire but remain on site, says a Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson at 1.15 pm.

All members of the public are advised to avoid the area as not to hamper the firefighting efforts while firefighters get this fire contained.