EVERYONE knows the dangers discarded cigarette butts or camp fires pose in summer, but the Country Fire Authority has shed light on some of the lesser known cause of fires.
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District 17 operations manager Dale Russell said he had seen fires started by bicycles attached to the rear of cars or caravans.
“They’re not secured properly and slip down until the bike touches the road and the metal on the road causes sparks,” he said
“They’re more unusual things, not necessarily things you see or hear about, but it does happen.
“We’ve had wheels fall off trailers or cars. It’s not everyday, but it’s often enough and when the wheel comes off it means the vehicle drops to the ground and sparks, which can ignite.
“Make sure you’ve done maintenance on your vehicle and checked bearings so no loose items fall to ground.”
Mr Russell said even parking could be hazardous in dry, hot conditions.
“People might pull over onto the side of the road for whatever reason and pull up onto dry grass, which gets around the hot exhaust,” he said.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
