Tractor catches alight in Mangaorapa Rd

Birds’ nest in engine appeared to be the cause

The Pōrangahau Volunteer Fire Brigade was called out to a rural address at Mangaorapa Rd on Monday morning to respond to a tractor on fire.

The tractor was fully ablaze on arrival but the brigade was able to douse the flames using foam, preventing it spreading to a nearby woolshed.

The cause is suspected to be a birds’ nest in the engine of the tractor.

Waipukurau and Tamatea Rural Volunteer Fire Brigades were also called out but were called back. That afternoon Hastings firefighters and Police were called to a fire at a house that had been converted into a storage building on Stock Rd, near Hastings.

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said two tankers and three appliances were at the Pakipaki building as at 3.20pm. They were called to the fire about 2.45pm.

No one was inside, but household belongings had been damaged, he said. A witness said the smoke from the fire was visible from as far as Longlands.

During level 4 lockdown Fire and Emergency NZ is asking the public to minimise the risk of fire, and the number of avoidable call outs for first responders. “Hold off any nonessential outdoor fires — such as burning vegetation or garden waste. This will stop firefighters from being called out and having to leave their bubbles unnecessarily. Even if the fire is under control, the smoke often results in 111 calls which mean our firefighters need to deal with an avoidable call and risk exposure to Covid-19.”