Motorbike catches fire at four-lane intersection in Napier

The motorcycle on fire at the Carnegie Rd–Taradale Rd intersection.

A rider had a lucky escape after his motorbike caught fire at a four-lane Napier intersection.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said a Napier Station crew was called to the corner of Carnegie Rd and Taradale Rd about 10.05am on Sunday.

They extinguished the blaze, and left about 10.30am.

Firefighters extinguish the blaze on Sunday morning.

A social media post from a person claiming to be the rider said they were uninjured.

The fire, which badly damaged the classic bike, was likely caused by a fuel leak after the bike was over-fuelled, the post suggested.

A witness, who did not want to be named, said the flames were visible from a distance.

“All I saw when I was driving up Taradale Rd was a big ball of flames and black smoke around the intersection,” he said.

“I was completely shocked when I saw the flames engulfing the motorbike.”

The witness said the rider had safely stepped off the bike and was on the footpath with others.

“No one was injured from what I could see.”

The witness said the fire produced “a lot of pops and bangs” but did not appear to spread quickly.