Rotorua tree fire caused by fireworks

Firefighters are hosing down a large tree after it caught fire.

A Rotorua Daily Post reporter at the scene said the tree, on Rimu St, was of a reasonable size.

"It's out now but it's pretty black. They are just hosing it down now."

Firefighters were called to a tree fire caused by fireworks at 10.33am. Photo / Ben Fraser

One fire engine was at the scene.

A fire communications spokesman said firefighters were called to the scene at 10.33am.

A tree fully engulfed in fire after a firework incident in Rimu St today. Photo / Supplied

"We're dealing with a tree on fire which we've extinguished. It's believed to have been caused by fireworks."

Firefighters were called to a tree fire caused by fireworks at 10.33am. Photo / Ben Fraser

Sonny Dickson-Oakley said he was setting off fireworks and they went the wrong way causing the tree to catch fire.

"I put it on the ground and left it."

He said the tree caught fire quickly.

Tree on fire in Rimu St.

Posted by Rotorua Daily Post on Monday, 5 November 2018

"Just 'whoosh', that's how it happened.

"I heard a big rumbling noise, like a burning noise."

He tried to put the fire out with the hose before the firefighters arrived.

"Eventually it died down a bit."