Queenstown New Year’s Eve blaze caused by US billionaire Tony Malkin’s fireworks, Fenz confirms

US billionaire Tony Malkin's fireworks led to the blaze near Arrowtown, according to Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Photo / Supplied and Getty Images

An American billionaire’s Queenstown pyrotechnic display spiralled out of control and led to a significant blaze after the fireworks malfunctioned, it has been revealed.

A report from Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) has detailed how the controversial New Year’s Eve fireworks display led to a significant blaze at the Dalefield property linked to New York-based property tycoon Tony Malkin.

Before the fire, Malkin - who is the chief executive of Empire State Realty Trust, which owns the landmark New York skyscraper - had already upset neighbours of his Dalefield property outside Queenstown who were concerned about the planned fireworks disturbing horses and other livestock.

The blaze as seen from a neighbour's property.

More than 16 firefighters and numerous police attended the fire shortly after midnight, and it was extinguished after several hours.

The size of the fire was confirmed to be just under 0.5 hectares.

In a report released today, Fenz investigator Murray Milne-Maresca determined the blaze was accidental and caused by the fireworks malfunctioning.

“The carbon residue was still hot when it contacted the ground, setting the fire alight immediately.

Tony Malkin is the CEO of Empire Realty Trust, which owns the landmark Empire State Building in New York.

“If the pyrotechnics had performed correctly and the way they are designed, by the time they had reached [their] full altitude, [they] should have been cool or even cold on landing.

The fire started within four to five minutes of the display starting.

“It could not be controlled and spread rapidly, simultaneously causing other fires.”

Fenz was notified at 12.10am.

The situation was complicated after firefighters arrived when the hydrant system failed within a few minutes of firefighters connecting to it.

This was later discovered contractors did not re-open the main valve after testing or repair.

“Firefighters were able to draft water from an open source nearby, stating it did not affect their ability to carry out suppression activities.”