Shrub fire on Malfroy Rd

Small shrub fire on Malfroy Rd. PHOTO/BRIDIE WITTON

A small shrub has caught fire outside a bus stop on Malfroy Rd.

A Northern Fire Communications spokeswoman said one toitoi bush had caught fire.

She said the fire service was called at 10.45am. One crew attended.

A witness at the scene told the Rotorua Daily Post he was walking past when he "noticed smoke and flames billowing from the bush".

"It was just like 'woosh' straight up the fence line. Those power lines are hanging really low too so I was worried they might catch fire too.

"There is a lot of dry stuff all along the fence so I guess that's why it caught fire so easily."

Another witness Jason Koppe said he was "cruising back home" when he saw the flames.

"We called the fire service and have been standing here probably about five minutes before they turned up."