Warning for farmers after burn-off goes wrong

Farmers and lifestyle block owners are being urged to learn about safe ways to carry out controlled burn-offs.

It follows an explosion in a paddock yesterday which left a Christchurch man with serious injuries.

He was engulfed in flames while attempting to burn rubbish.

It is believed the man added accelerant to a bonfire causing the explosion. 

Fire investigators spent much of the day at the Yaldhurst property where it happened.

Fire Investigator Wayne Hamilton is hoping others will learn from the incident.

"This acts as a real reminder to farmers and lifestyle block holders that when carrying out a controlled burn, to make sure they do it safely," he said.

Mr Hamilton said accelerants should not be used.

Fire Investigator Wayne Hamilton.
Fire Investigator Wayne Hamilton. Photo credit: Newshub

The Fire Service issued a safety reminder to farmers last month after a burn-off got out of control in Northland.

The landowner was intending to burn off about two hectares of standing gorse and logging waste on the Tinopai Peninsula. 

The fire jumped a firebreak into more gorse and slash and eventually burnt through most of a 50 hectare block before stopping once it got to green pasture.

Newshub.