Narrow Escape As Lorry Takes Fire

Northern Advocate, 29 November 1937, Page 2

Narrow Escape As Lorry Takes Fire

A truck owned by Mr F. Hill, contractor, of Warkworth, axxd driven by Mr D. Vonciarno, accompanied by his wife and six-months-old baby, caught fire at the top of Ahuroa Hill. The occupants wex-e very lucky to escape without injury. As the truck neared the top of the hill the driver realised that it was on fire, and held on to both brakes, thus allowing his wife and child to escape from the vehicle. The flames then reached the side of the cab, compelling Mr Vonciarno to leave the cab, and the truck moved slowly toward a high bank, but stopped before reaching it. Nearby farmers were attracted by the explosion of the petrol tank, which contained 16 gallons of petrol, and, with the aid of the farmers, the fire v/as quickly extinguished. The outbx’eak was evidently due to petrol leaking on to the exhaust pipe, which became hot on the climb un the hill. .