Damp weather helps keep fireworks incidents down

File photo / Bradley Ambrose

Firefighters had a relatively quiet night dealing with fireworks-related incidents, helped in part by wet weather in Christchurch and Wellington.

Fire Service communications centre managers estimated between 40 and 87 fireworks-related calls out of a total of about 500 emergency calls overnight.

Northern communications centre shift manager Steve Smith said the most serious fires in the top half of the North Island were fires in suburban Auckland and Rotorua.

In Auckland, firefighters spent 2-1/2 hours at a property in Lilford Pl in Half Moon Bay, southeast Auckland trying to deal with a vegetation fire started by fireworks.

"It was at the bottom of a cliff and it was starting to come up that cliff and endangering properties," he told NZPA.

He said the Fire Service's high-angle unit had to be called in as the cliff made standard firefighting difficult. The blaze was under control by 1.15am.

In Rotorua, fireworks made their way into a roof void on McCahon Dr, causing a fire and some smoke damage.

The greatest danger from fireworks in Rotorua was possibly from partygoers in Logan St who began throwing cans and fireworks at police trying to control the disorderly party.

Senior Sergeant Dennis Murphy said one officer was injured when he was knocked to the ground from behind as he attempted to arrest a firework thrower.

Jan Wills of the southern communications centre said heavy rain in Christchurch dampened the impact fireworks may have caused.

"We had quite a bit of flooding in Christchurch. We were probably busier with that than fireworks incidents."

The rain was enough for one of the city's biggest fireworks events at New Brighton to be postponed until tonight.

Tim Rees, of the Fire Service central communications centre, said Wellington was also wet.

He understood there were a few calls in the central region but nothing significant.

- NZPA