One lane of Gladstone Rd North had to be blocked while firefighters accessed water from a hydrant in the north-bound lane to extinguish an 80m by 5m scrub fire yesterday.
The fire was located on the bank of the neighbouring railway line as KiwiRail staff carried out maintenance.
Some drivers ignored emergency services vehicles and cones and sped through the roadblock, putting firefighters' lives at risk, Mosgiel Volunteer Fire Brigade Acting Senior Station Officer Martin Jansen said.
‘‘When we were driving [there], there was so much smoke I couldn't see the houses.
‘‘The only danger was people driving too fast while it was extremely smoky.
‘‘We had to block the road to get water and people just don't stop for emergency services as well as they used to,'' Mr Jansen said.
The situation with passing traffic became so problematic he had to ask police to help control traffic, Mr Jansen said.
Southern district road policing manager Inspector Tania Baron said police could consider charges of careless driving if drivers did not adhere to emergency services' warnings.
A fine for inconsiderate driving might also be imposed, she said.‘‘Please don't go putting people at a risk,'' Insp Baron said.
‘‘Slow down. Be aware that the surroundings aren't as they usually are.‘‘It's about driving to the conditions.''
Fire appliances from Mosgiel, Lookout Point and Roslyn attended the fire about 10.45am and it was out in about 30 minutes.
KiwiRail did not respond to an email request for comment yesterday afternoon.
