Large Truck Lost By Fire At Matarau

Northern Advocate, 14 March 1944, Page 6

Large Truck Lost By Fire At Matarau

Swerving when the front right tyre blew out and the vehicle hit a boulder, a large truck, owned by Messrs. Hardie Eros. Lid., of Whangarei, overturned near the Matarau school yesterday and caught fire, being almost completely destroyed. The dpiver (Mr. W. J. Doar) escaped with only minor injuries. When the truck overturned it immediately burst into flames and before the driver could escape from the cab the front portion was engulfed. He endeavoured to beat out the fire with a sack and by throwing lime, three tons of which were being carried, on the flames but without success. Fed by benzine from the tank under the driver’s seat, the fire generated intense heat and the front portion oi the truck, including three tyres and a new tarpaulin, was destroyed. With assistance the driver uncoupled the four rear dual tyres and these were saved. In more than 30 years of carrying this is the first loss of a vehicle the firm has had by fire. The loss is serious, as all vehicles are fully employed and one less in use imposes a burden impossible to meet, causing delay in meeting requirements o'f customers. Replacement vehicles are most difficult to obtain and delay in filling immediate requirements by customers is inevitable.