Scrub fire caused by too-hot pyrotechnics
Malfunctioning pyrotechnics caused a New Year's Eve blaze on an American billionaire's Queenstown property, according to a FENZ fire investigator.
The large scrub fire started just after midnight on the sprawling Dalefield property of US businessman Tony Malkin, who co-owns the Empire State Building, in New York.
Malkin had gone ahead with the controversial commercial-grade pyrotechnics display despite the vocal protests of some neighbours, who were concerned about it worrying horses, livestock and other animals.
The display sparked three separate blazes that spread across a hillside in the rural lifestyle area, covering about half a hectare. Five crews from Queenstown and Arrowtown responded to the call and extinguished the fire.
Now Fire and Emergency New Zealand has released the official report into the accidental Littles Road fire.
Specialist Wildfire Investigator Murray Milne-Maresca says it was caused by the malfunction of pyrotechnics during the low altitude display.
"The carbon residue was still hot when it contacted the ground setting the fire alight immediately," Milne-Maresca says.
"If the pyrotechnics had performed correctly and the way they are designed, by the time they had reached its full altitude, it should have been cool or even cold on landing."
Evidence of residue from the pyrotechnics shells were evident up to 60+ metres in all directions surrounding the pyrotechnic display trailer.
The fires began within four to five minutes of the start of the display.
When firefighters arrived on the scene, they connected to a hydrant system but it failed within a few minutes. It was later discovered contractors had not reopened the main valve after testing or repair.
Firefighters were able to draft water from a nearby pond. They said the failure of the hydrant system did not affect their ability to suppress the fire.
Sprinklers were used to protect the saddle house and the area around the pyrotechnics display trailer, however an installed K-line system, which is a more powerful agricultural sprinkler was not operational.
The report says there was a risk of the fire spreading, as any fire exceeding 3x3 m requires specialist equipment and firefighting capability.
The blackened hillside after the fire
Malkin had a permit from FENZ for the display, along with site safety plans, hydrant/water supplies, hazardous substance and material safety data sheets, and an emergency response plan.
He had contracted a professional pyrotechnic company, which is not named in the report.
A $100,000 donation was made to local fire brigades following the fire, by an unnamed donor.
