Tractor destroyed by fire

Firemen from the Balclutha Volunteer Fire Brigade extinguish the flames from a four-year-old Massey Ferguson tractor, which caught fire on Metherell's property Hillend Rd, South Otago, yesterday.

The brigade was called to the property about 12.30pm, and found the tractor engulfed in flames.

Deputy chief fire officer Terry Michie said the driver had left the tractor to have his lunch when the fire broke out, and he was not injured in the incident.

Heather Metherell said the tractor was insured.

It was not clear yesterday what had caused the tractor to catch fire, but a bird's nest or an electrical fault were possible causes, she said.