Fireworks targeted in at risk areas

Residents in total fire ban areas should dial 111 and ask for the fire service if fireworks are being lit, says Hastings District Council principal rural fire officer Trevor Mitchell.

Hastings District Council, Central Hawke's Bay District Council and the Department of Conservation have declared a total fire ban.

"The fire service will either respond or they will ask council to respond," Mr Mitchell said.

"Fireworks are a pyrotechnic and they can't be discharged without a permit."

A Hastings mother, terrified that fireworks deliberately fired into her garden by neighbours would start a fire, said nobody would take responsibility for enforcing the total fire ban on New Year's Eve.

"I rang the council and they said they couldn't do anything because it wasn't illegal," the woman said.

"The fire department said they couldn't do anything also. The police were not interested.

"Then I rang the police again because they were aiming them into the property and laughing, thinking it was a joke."

The woman said she was surprised to read in Hawke's Bay Today that fireworks were included in the ban.

"Every weekend they let them off and there is nobody stopping it."

She has ongoing concerns with fireworks starting a fire in her property. On Guy Fawkes, she dampened down her garden and stood by with the garden hose.

"I am scared stiff there is going to be a decent fire here, everything is so dry.

"What gets me is in Australia they fine them $1000. We are so far behind here it is not funny."

Mr Mitchell said the council's after hours service was situated in Palmerston North and he would be following up on the woman's complaint once Hastings District Council staff returned from holiday.

"There are a lot of humans in the step," he said.