Tractor fire not easily put out

Millers Flat Volunteer Fire Brigade members spent more than two hours extinguishing a tractor blaze within a farm shed on Wednesday night.

Chief fire officer Brian Timpson said about 12 firefighters were called to the shed on a rural property off Tima Burn Rd, about 7km from Millers Flat, just after 8pm.

It was believed the blaze started within the tractor, possibly as a result of an electrical fault, Mr Timpson said.

The tractor, which was alight when the brigade arrived, was destroyed.

"Part of the roof of the shed was also damaged, as well as a few hand tools and fencing equipment," he said.

The fire took hours to extinguish, partly because a nearby stream had to be dammed so firefighters could draw water.

"A tractor fire can be pretty intense. The rafters in the shed were also burning so it took a lot of time and a lot of water to make sure it was completely out," Mr Timpson said.

The fire was not being treated as suspicious, and was contained within the shed.

• Alexandra police are investigating the possible arson of a car, as well as a residential burglary which may be connected to the blaze.

Alexandra Volunteer Fire Brigade members were called to extinguish a vehicle fire about 5am yesterday.

They were supported by a rural fire appliance.

Chief fire officer Russell Anderson said the car was parked in the middle of the hill section of Airport Rd.

No other property was damaged as a result of the fire, which was being treated as suspicious, Mr Anderson said.

"Some items of interest were found and we alerted police."

Central Otago sub area commander Senior Sergeant Jill Woods confirmed the fire was being investigated by police, as was the burglary of a residential Alexandra property, which was reported yesterday morning.

Snr Sgt Woods said anyone with information about either incident should contact Alexandra police.

- rosie.manins@odt.co.nz

 

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