Arson is the cause of the fire on Mauao last Wednesday night says Pumicelands Rural Fire Authority zone manager Alan Pearce.
He says people throwing fireworks off the top of the Mount started the fire deliberately.
The fire allegedly caused by fireworks thrown from the top. Photo: Cameron Avery.
The fire started about 12am on Thursday, 14 January in Mount Maunganui – burning between 800-900sqm on the northeast side of the landmark.
Pumicelands Zone manager Alan Pearce says the results of their investigation point strongly towards a deliberate attempt to cause a fire by throwing fireworks from the top of the Mount.
'We believe they have tossed fireworks over the edge of the mountain, starting a fire in the northeast area above the Waikorire Track, which remains closed.
'This started the scrub fire which then spread across and up to the top track.”
Alan says it's hard to understand why anyone would commit such an act.
'It's incredibly disappointing and I encourage anyone with further information to come forward. This wasn't accidental.”
Investigations are continuing with Tauranga Police to identify the people responsible, says Alan.
'A number of exhibits are yet to be forensically examined. Once examined, we believe these will be helpful in providing identification evidence.
'My priority is the fire investigation. I'm satisfied it is not an accidental fire and whoever caused it has something to answer for - but that's a matter for the police once they are located.”
Tauranga City Council communication manager Aimee Driscoll says the Waikorire Track is now open to the public.
"Geologists have completed the rock stability assessment and hazard mitigation of the fire ground."
Anyone with information can contact Tauranga Police on 07 577 4300.
12 comments
Absolute Idiots
Posted on 19-01-2016 16:42 | By The Sage
Simple ban private sales of fireworks
@ The Sage
Posted on 19-01-2016 16:52 | By flipper
Wow that is a typical knee jerk squidward response. Whenever a firework fire is detected out comes the fun police. Take away the fireworks and arsonists will still light fires so you prove absolutely nothing. Now if it was accidental you might have more of an argument all-be-it slim.
Fin-Jerk Reaction
Posted on 19-01-2016 16:59 | By Bill Gibson-Patmore
Crazy that Flipper calls Sage's reaction a "Knee-jerk". So is his. We will not get anywhere with these reactions and accusations. I'm truly glad the comments are only "to the Editor" and not the Executioner! Bill Gibson-Patmore
Rastus
Posted on 19-01-2016 18:09 | By rastus
Fireworks for public events only - makes sense.
public fireworks only
Posted on 19-01-2016 22:46 | By jjrk
im a 30 year old and believe fireworks should be public only... 1. fireworks we buy are pitiful in comparison. 2. fireworks keep getting let of randomnly for months afterwards.(events are normaly held over 1 saturday or 2..) 3. idiots harming animals with fireworks. (10 or 20 shot rockets, many a example in the news) 4. muppets having ignorance in their environment and starting fires (the recent mount fire). i should know. i got donr for arson when i was 17. now im an old guy and i get pissed of with fire works getting let off with all my examples.. public only is the way to go
Banning anything....
Posted on 20-01-2016 06:59 | By GreertonBoy
Simply makes the thing more expensive and gives the black markets more stuff to sell.... it would be better to make them legal and available at certain times of the year (Guy Fawkes) so people can get their 'fix'. I used to save up and buy crackers from the news agency in greerton at guy fawkes and blow up things just like everyone else did when I was a kid.... I think the key is educating people so they don't do stupid stuff like setting fire to the mount... We used to blow up a few letterboxes and stuff, but never set fire to anything.... and we had real sky rockets as well..
Greertonboy, we did ...
Posted on 20-01-2016 08:20 | By Murray.Guy
There is absolutely NO evidence been provided to date that the fire (all 850 square meters of it) was arson, deliberately lit. It seems young folk may have ignited fireworks and that what goes up comes down. In earlier days there were 'just as many' unfortunate outcomes from youthful unthinking behaviour, property damage and fire quite common. This is a disappointing allegation that cannot be substantiated, hardly a need to call in the FBI and or cancel of Police leave. Now, where's my double happy's?
@Murray...
Posted on 20-01-2016 12:11 | By Jimmy Ehu
mmmmm "Arson is the cause" Iwould have thought that was reasonably easy to understand, probable cause fireworks!!!
@ Greerton Boy
Posted on 20-01-2016 16:27 | By Colleen Spiro
I live in Greerton and have been hearing fireworks for over two months....Time to ban all but sparklers and Murray Guys double Happys....Have a few public displays. AND you cannot educate STUPID people.
Thunder bangers...
Posted on 21-01-2016 14:14 | By GreertonBoy
Were much better than double happy's... unless you taped 5 happy's together...lol. However, if a person/group set fire to something on purpose or by accident, it is still arson.... the person/group are responsible for the fire... it is really just a shame that people do risky things and don't think of the consequences of their actions... people who accidently start fires (accidental arsonists) are just stupid... people who light fires on purpose are the ones to worry about, imo they really need a kick fair in their arsonist backsides.... (I bet you had to read that last sentence twice lol)
Highly unlikly arson ...
Posted on 21-01-2016 19:08 | By Murray.Guy
Appreciate 'arson' sounds all very dramatic but we have NOT learnt of any thing to suggest arson, just an overactive mind... arson (???s?n) (Law) criminal law the act of intentionally or recklessly setting fire to another's property or to one's own property for some improper reason.
Murray....
Posted on 23-01-2016 15:57 | By GreertonBoy
I disagree with you. The fire was not caused by lightening, nor an accident like a gotten away camp fire... this fire was started by human hands alone. Whether the human hands were just stupid, or set out to start the fire on purpose... it doesn't matter, the fire was started, it was arson. I cant believe that a group of idiots could possibly believe that throwing fireworks of a bush/grass covered mountain and not realise that a fire might be the result? The fire fighters had to risk their lives to put it out, the air crew had to put themselves in dangerous situation as well.... fire could have burned alot more of the mount and could have trapped others if the fire had gone around the circumference. They need teaching when caught, not the usual slap on the hand... for littering as well. Kudos to fire crews
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