Linen delivery driver Tony Harrington with the faulty battery that could have set alight his van yesterday. Photo by James Beech.
Fiordland Laundry Service contract driver Tony Harrington, of Te Anau, was delivering 80 to 90 bags of linen around the town when he noticed black and pungent smoke billowing from beneath the bonnet of his Fiat van just before 1pm.
Mr Harrington pulled over and called 111 and five firefighters, an appliance and service truck arrived.
They disconnected the battery and removed it from the van.
It continued to smoulder but did not ignite further.
"If it wasn't for their quick thinking we would have lost the van and the linen," Mr Harrington said.
Arrowtown Volunteer Fire Brigade Chief Fire Officer Garry Hall said firefighters always disconnected batteries as a precaution when attending vehicle incidents.
