Fireworks are thought to be the cause of two small fires in the Bay of Plenty overnight, which saw three brigades sent to put them out.

Katikati Fire brigade was called to a hedge on fire at Tanners Point, just after 1am, which detroyed about 40 metres of shelterbelt.

Katikati Fire Brigade station officer Brendan Gibbs says his brigade along with Athenree Fire Brigade attended the fire 'which was lit by a fire rocket”.

'People were partying next door and let off the fireworks. We had water tanks from both Athenree and Waihi brigades to put it out. It took about 40 minutes to put it out and dampen down hot spots using foam and a three-pronged attack.”

Brendan says his brigade attended another callout yesterday on Katikati's Beach Rd at about 7pm, which had also been lit by fireworks.

'People do not realise they can be prosecuted for using fireworks out of the permitted period,” says Brendan.

'Fireworks are a real nuisance at this time of year and most of it is stupidity; unless they abide by rules, it's a fire waiting to happen.”

Fire Communications shift manager Steve Smith firefighters attended Sorrento Key at Papamoa Beach, where a tree caught on fire at about 1am and also had to be extinguished.

Mount Maunganui Fire Brigade attended a car fire on Tweed St overnight at about 3.30am, which they believe may have been deliberately lit.

'It was called by police; they were at the scene and no-one was injured,” says Steve.

Mount Maunganui Fire Brigade reports it had a few others calls 'but no major incidents, with one call to Tauranga being turned around”.

Greerton Fire Brigade reports it had no callouts overnight.