The first call from the homeowner was the water blaster had caught alight and set the house on fire (file photo). A water blaster which reportedly caught fire and "destroyed" a house has forced the closure of part of a state highway in Northland. The New Zealand Transport Agency said sections of SH12 in Mamaranui had to be shut due to a large scrub fire about 6pm on Sunday. Craig Dally, northern communications shift manager, said the first call from the homeowner stated the water blaster had caught alight and set the house on fire. Dally said water was the big challenge in the rural area, amid Northland's official drought.

Source: Stuff February 23, 2020 06:31 UTC