Jet-boat being towed catches fire near Wanaka

Boating enthusiast Tim McHutchon and Wanaka firefighters believe an electrical fault sparked a destructive boat fire on Saturday that also caused minor damage to the Matukituki River bridge, spread into nearby vegetation and destroyed the spare tyre of the towing vehicle.

Mr McHutchon and two friends were on the approach to the bridge on West Wanaka Rd, when they noticed the jet-boat their vehicle was towing was on fire.

The former Wanaka man, now living in London, said he was "gutted" about the damage to his father's boat.

"It was a Hamilton Jet Invader 44 called Torque Flyte. It was about ... 32 years old, but has been in the family for about 25 years, at least," Mr McHutchon said.

The trio were thankful no-one was hurt and the bridge did not completely catch fire.

Two engines from the Wanaka Volunteer Fire Brigade attended the blaze, and Department of Conservation firefighters also assessed the scene, because the fire was close to a Doc reserve.

Fire-risk conditions are rated as extreme in the district, after a long spell of hot, dry weather.

Helicopters with monsoon buckets were on stand-by but were not required.

Senior station officer Warren Bates said the boat fire was "dumbfounding".

"Obviously, it's an electrical short, somewhere in the motor, which arced out and set the bridge and, in turn, the grass on fire."