Brake fault sets fire to log truck tyres

BLAZE: The trailer of a logging truck which had its rear tyres catch fire on Masterton Castlepoint Rd yesterday is removed by another truck. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Burning tyres on a fully-laden logging truck in Tauweru were extinguished by firefighters yesterday morning.

Masterton Fire Station Officer Doug Flowerday said the fire happened at about 7am on Monday about 2km from the Riversdale turnoff on the Masterton Castlepoint Rd.

A mechanical fault with the brakes had caused the tyres on the rear of the trailer to overheat and catch fire, he said.

Logs on the fully-laden truck were "scorched but not badly damaged".

The driver was able to pull over so the road remained open while firefighters worked to cool down the trailer. Police helped to supervise the removal of logs.

Firefighters from both the Masterton station and the Tinui Rural Fire Force attended the fire, which was contained by about 8.30am.