Hamilton police say a group of young people whose fireworks started a fire at an elderly woman's home did the right thing by alerting her to it.
The scene of the Hamilton fire. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
Emergency services called to a Paterson Street address in Dinsdale shortly after 10pm found a used firework in the guttering and an empty wine bottle nearby.
Detective Sergeant Nick O'Brien said the group, aged eight to 17, acted responsibility in raising the alarm.
Police also said fireworks were the likely cause of a fire which damaged a substantial block of forestry near Nelson last night.
The blaze broke out about 10.30pm in a forestry block behind the Nelson Christian Academy in the Marsden Valley.
Detective Sergeant Lex Bruning said the fire was relatively close to residential properties and could have been a lot more serious.