A hedge caught fire in Taupo last night during what is suspected to be a fireworks display gone wrong.
Firefighters were called to the blaze about 9.45pm, but a spokesman for the Fire Service could not yet confirm if the fire was caused by fireworks.
A local who lives nearby, however, took photos and a video of the hedge fire on Parata St.
He said a man was letting off fireworks when his hedge caught fire.
The witness, who did not want to be named, said the Fire Service were there within seven minutes and doused the flames before any other houses were affected.
"The man in the house next door got quite a fright as he was asleep when the flames were lapping at his windows," he said. "[He] was relieved his young daughter was not home."
The man said he was walking past when a "spraying fountain type of firework" was let off, catching the hedge on fire.
A man known to the victim has been charged with assault.