Large rural fire in Waikato

A large fire is burning on rural property northeast of Hamilton after what was supposed to be a controlled burn got out of hand this afternoon.

The Fire Service was alerted to the blaze on Valentine Rd, Whitikahu, 20km north east of Hamilton, about 2.30pm and sent three fire trucks and two tankers, a spokeswoman said.

Three piles of felled trees and scrub which had been cleared from the area had been set alight, resulting in three fires of about 50sq m each.

Fire Service area commander for Waikato Roy Breeze said crews had managed to get the blaze largely under control.

- NZPA