Suspicious fire destroys truck

Police are treating as suspicious an early morning blaze that destroyed a truck.

The truck was found abandoned at the roadside in rural Carterton minus its battery and number plates.

A Carterton fire crew was called to the blaze at the corner of Kokotau and Millars roads at Ponatahi shortly before 1.30am yesterday.

Station officer Blaine Smith said the large truck, from which the battery and number plates had been removed, was well ablaze when firefighters arrived.

He said the truck was possibly a model from the early 1970s and had been found abandoned on a traffic island at the intersection.

Mr Smith said an aluminium canopy on the back of the truck had been melting and buckling from the heat and the truck was destroyed despite the blaze being quickly doused.

He said police had launched an investigation and were to visit the scene.

Police could not be reached for comment.