18 January 2005
The organisers of a fireworks display believed to have sparked a forest fire on Rabbit Island may have to pay up to $5000 towards the cost of fighting the blaze.
A wind change is being blamed for sparking the fire near Mapua during a fireworks display suspended from a helicopter over the Mapua channel last night.
Richmond Volunteer Fire Brigade chief Ralph Lonsdale said several crews from Nelson, Richmond, Upper Moutere, Mapua and the Rural Fire Network attended the fire at 10pm, which took half an hour to get under control.
Although the fire was not big - about 200m by 50m - narrow roads made it difficult for fire engines to manoeuvre and get to the site, he said.
Mapua Jet Adventures owner Simon Bannock said the fireworks were bought for a party being held at a restaurant.
Rural Fire Network principal fire officer Chris Millson said the fire was being investigated, and anyone found responsible for it could be liable for costs of up to $5000 for fighting it.
Anthony Lealand, owner-manager of Firework Professionals, which chartered the helicopter and provided the display, said the incident was very unfortunate.
"It was totally not meant to happen, but the wind changed and the pilot had limited room to manoeuvre. He was caught between the Mapua leisure park, and the wind was in the wrong direction."
The display was aborted and the helicopter flown out to sea, he said.
Mr Lealand said it was the first time he had experienced a wind change in nine such displays.
He would be notifying the test certifier who issued the certificate for the show, and modifying his own operations so he did not have to work in such "tight" situations again.
Mr Bannock, who was contracted to monitor the impact of the fireworks on bird life in the Mapua estuary, said the fire started quickly but did not spread fast.
The organisers of a fireworks display believed to have sparked a forest fire on Rabbit Island may have to pay up to $5000 towards the cost of fighting the blaze.
A wind change is being blamed for sparking the fire near Mapua during a fireworks display suspended from a helicopter over the Mapua channel last night.
Richmond Volunteer Fire Brigade chief Ralph Lonsdale said several crews from Nelson, Richmond, Upper Moutere, Mapua and the Rural Fire Network attended the fire at 10pm, which took half an hour to get under control.
Although the fire was not big - about 200m by 50m - narrow roads made it difficult for fire engines to manoeuvre and get to the site, he said.
Mapua Jet Adventures owner Simon Bannock said the fireworks were bought for a party being held at a restaurant.
Rural Fire Network principal fire officer Chris Millson said the fire was being investigated, and anyone found responsible for it could be liable for costs of up to $5000 for fighting it.
Anthony Lealand, owner-manager of Firework Professionals, which chartered the helicopter and provided the display, said the incident was very unfortunate.
"It was totally not meant to happen, but the wind changed and the pilot had limited room to manoeuvre. He was caught between the Mapua leisure park, and the wind was in the wrong direction."
The display was aborted and the helicopter flown out to sea, he said.
Mr Lealand said it was the first time he had experienced a wind change in nine such displays.
He would be notifying the test certifier who issued the certificate for the show, and modifying his own operations so he did not have to work in such "tight" situations again.
Mr Bannock, who was contracted to monitor the impact of the fireworks on bird life in the Mapua estuary, said the fire started quickly but did not spread fast.