Fireworks stunt goes awry on Te Mata peak

Fire crews were called into action and a man arrested in Havelock North after a fireworks stunt caused a fire on top of Te Mata peak.

A fire service spokeswoman said several fire crews had attended the 30-by-40 metre fire, just after 2am this morning.

She said a male had been seen throwing fireworks into the grass from the top of the hill prior to the blaze.

Hastings police Senior Sergeant Dan Foley said an 18-year-old man was arrested and charged with reckless arson, and a youth with him has been referred to child services.

"There were kids lighting off fire crackers from the top and set fire to the Havelock North side of the hill."

Two pumps, a tanker and two rural fire units attended the fire, using high-pressure hoses and foam to extinguish the blaze.

It was the second incident on the peak in less than a month, after a man rolled his car near the lookout on November 28.

He was thrown free from his car and found 50 metres below the cliff  on Te Mata Peak Rd and treated in Hawke's Bay Regional Hospital.

- © Fairfax NZ News