Car burnt out on Gisborne beachfront

Firefighters were called to the 'mad mile' on Tuesday night to put out a burning car that had been dumped in dunes just south of the navigation beacon. It was the second car fire they have been called to so far this year. Photo / Murray Robertson

A dumped car was set alight on Tuesday night among the dunes on Gisborne’s beachfront just south of the navigation beacon on Centennial Marine Dr.

Fire and Emergency NZ were called about the incident at 11pm that night.

“The hatchback sedan was completely involved in fire when we got there,” a senior firefighter said.

Passersby alerted emergency services.

Flames from the blazing car had set alight to a wide area of grass around the vehicle. Photo / Murray Robertson

“Flames from the burning vehicle set alight to an area of grass around it, that measured 15 by 25 metres.”

The sedan had been stripped of its number plates and was believed to have been stolen.

Police were advised and have an inquiry under way.

It was the second dumped-car fire in Gisborne so far this year, after one in Matokitoki Valley earlier this month.

In 2024 Fire and Emergency responded to nearly 50 vehicle-related fires in the district. About half of those incidents involved stolen and/or dumped vehicles.