Central Hawke’s Bay shed fire likely started by bird’s nest in tractor
A bird’s nest in a tractor likely started a large fire that swept through a Central Hawke’s Bay farm shed.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said crews were called to the fire at Farm Rd, near Landfill Access Rd, about 10am on Wednesday with two water tankers.
On arrival, crews found a 17m by 8m shed fully involved, and stopped it from spreading further.
The spokeswoman said the fire was not considered suspicious.
Waipukurau deputy fire chief Glen Millar said the fire was likely started by a bird’s nest in a tractor after machinery had been used to clear waterways on the farm.
He said tractor engine bays should be checked before and after each use to avoid fires like it.
Millar said the farmer had a shoulder injury at the time of the fire and was unable to make the check under the bonnet as a result.
Rural insurer FMG said birds’ nests accounted for about $1.2m in tractor fire claims annually.
It said this week that it wanted to remind machinery operators to stop and pop the bonnet before and after work.
Over the past three years, FMG had received more than 100 tractor fire claims linked to birds’ nests, accounting for 32% of all tractor fire claims during that period.
The majority of tractor fire claims caused by birds’ nests that FMG saw were during the starling breeding season, which typically ran from September to December.
FMG loss prevention manager Abby France said starlings in particular squeezed into surprisingly small places and built nests much faster than expected.
“With dry grass readily available on farm, a bird can build a nest in the time it takes you to stop for smoko or have a cup of tea.
“It’s not just tractors. We’ve seen nests cause fires in quad bikes, side-by-sides, cars, utes and other machinery as well.”
FMG encouraged farmers and machinery operators to make checking under bonnets part of their routines.
France said leaving bonnets up on parked machinery could discourage birds from nesting and fitting machinery with easily accessible fire extinguishers operators knew how to use.
It said it had free stop-and-pop reminder stickers, which could be ordered from its website.