News in brief: Care needed when lighting fires

Fire restrictions have been lifted across Northland but care is needed, say fire officials. Photo/ File

Fire restrictions have been lifted across Northland, but the Kaitaia Fire Brigade's deputy Chief Fire Officer, Ross Beddows, had a warning for those who light fires after a busy Easter weekend. By Sunday afternoon the brigade had responded to eight incidents, including two fires, starting with a small grass fire at a Pukepoto Rd, Kaitaia address on Friday evening. "It had started from a previous burn off, embers flaring up in the afternoon breeze and setting the kikuyu alight and quickly advancing to the fenceline," Beddows said. "The crews of two appliances had it under control within 15 minutes. Just after 5pm another burn-off got away when the property owner turned her back for a few minutes, setting fire to a bamboo shelter belt at Victoria Valley. The flames took hold quickly, and it looked quite spectacular when we arrived, but it was dealt with without too much difficulty by the two appliances. The tanker provided further water for dampening down."

Garage fire probed

A fully involved garage fire in Kerikeri is being investigated. Crews from the Kerikeri Volunteer Fire Brigade and Kawakawa Volunteer Fire Brigade were called to the blaze about 11.30pm on Sunday. Kerikeri chief fire officer Les Wasson said the 20 by 10 metre stand-alone double garage was fully involved when crews arrived. Police and a fire investigator had been called.

Mountain biker rescued

Northland police search and rescue were called out at around 6.30pm on Sunday night to help a man lost in Glenbervie Forest. Sergeant Jim Adamson said the man had been riding his mountain bike but didn't have any lighting, and when it got dark he was unable to find his way out. The man called for help and the search and rescue team were able to use his mobile phone to pinpoint his location. The team walked in, found the man around 1.5km from the forest headquarters and walked him out. Adamson said the man did everything right: "As soon as he realised he was lost he called us and stayed put." He said the man was fine but the incident was a good reminder for people to be a little bit better prepared with water, lighting and a warm jacket when heading out.

$1m Lotto ticket unclaimed

A Lotto ticket sold in Whangārei worth $1 million has yet to be claimed. The ticket was sold at Onerahi Bookshop & Lotto and won Lotto First Division in Saturday night's draw. A Lotto spokeswoman said as of Sunday afternoon the ticket had not been claimed. She encouraged people to check their tickets. The numbers from Saturday's draw were: 01, 10, 21, 32, 37, 39, the bonus was 19 and the Powerball was 2. Powerball was not struck and has rolled over to tomorrow (Weds) night, where the jackpot will be $5 million. It is the latest in a streak of wins for the region. A ticket sold at Pak'nSave Whangārei was the sole winner of the Strike prize in last Wednesday's draw, winning $500,000. A ticket also sold at Pak'nSave Whangārei in April won $333,333. Sunnyside Foodmarket sold a $200,000 scratchie and a winning First Division Lotto ticket, also worth $200,000 in the same month.