The Kaitaia Fire Brigade was quick to respond to a tractor fire off State Highway 10 east of Awanui on Friday morning, but was too late to save it from destruction.
"It was well involved by the time we got there," Senior Station Officer Ross Beddows said.
"It had been at work, preparing for maize planting later in the day. The driver noticed smoke coming from under the seat area, and in no time at all it was burning fiercely.
"We had a low pressure delivery, with foam, on it quickly, but nothing could be saved except the tilling apparatus it was towing. The tyres had blown out just before we arrived and the contractors had moved to safety."
The machine was "pretty hot", he added. Even after the flames had been extinguished the engine oil could be heard boiling away in the block.
