Shock start to boating weekend

Picture / Greg Bowker

Palmerston North vehicle importer Barney Williams was driving through Tongariro National Park yesterday, heading for Taupo for a weekend boating, when he noticed a puff of smoke.

He pulled over and saw a small flame under his 4WD.

"I tried to put it out with my hand, which is stupid, but it was so little I thought I could smother it. Then it just burst into flames..."

"Passersby with extinguishers kept the fire at bay as the couple rescued their luggage. "We got a few clothes out and the alcohol, which is the main thing."