Blustery weather was a source of trouble for fire brigades in and around Wanganui yesterday.
Part of State Highway 3 had to be closed off for about 45 minutes when powerlines near Turakina came down in the wind and started a small fire among the vegetation.
"Because of lots of strong winds this morning it brought down some powerlines," Marton volunteer fire brigade Chief Fire Officer Paul Whitehead said.
While the fire was easily put out, the stretch of road had to be closed while the power authority arrived and shut off power so fallen lines could be repaired.
Meanwhile, a Wanganui East street was also closed off for a couple of hours when a line came down.