Van blaze puts paid to band's US travels

Auckland band Ryan McPhun & the Ruby Suns' motorhome burst into flames

An Auckland band's dream tour around America has literally gone up in flames.

Ryan McPhun and his band the Ruby Suns were nearly halfway through an 18-gig tour when their motorhome burst into flames.

They were on their way to Seattle on Sunday when the van's engine caught fire on an interstate highway just outside the Tri-Cities in the state of Washington.

While all five members escaped, their personal belongings and instruments did not fare so well.

Sax player Amee Robinson said they had only the clothes they were wearing.

"We all literally have nothing ... My passport, wallet, sax, keys, cameras, film, clothes, etc, do not exist any more."

The band made an emergency stop at Wal-Mart to buy some warm clothes and were put up overnight by the Richland fire chief, Grant Baynes, who is also from New Zealand.

Robinson said the fire spelled the end to the tour.

"This has meant that our tour is pretty much over - very prematurely. We might be able to pull off some shows that were booked towards the end - depending on how the insurance stuff works out."

Auckland based Lil' Chief Records is taking emergency donations for the band on its website.

Ryan McPhun was born in California but made his way to New Zealand where he has developed his own music and last year released his self-titled album.