People were reportedly spotted leaving a United States billionaire’s property in a black Range Rover just moments after a controversial New Year’s Eve pyrotechnics display allegedly started a large hillside scrub fire near Queenstown.
The fireworks plan of New York-based property tycoon Tony Malkin - who is the chief executive of Empire State Realty Trust which owns the landmark New York skyscraper - had already upset neighbours of his Dalefield property outside Queenstown.
But soon after the extravagant, 14-minute commercial-grade light show began at midnight, three separate fires, which Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) believes were sparked by fireworks, took hold, lighting up the skies.
Several neighbours who were watching the display closely with fears for their animals, believe one sizeable blaze was started by the display.
Fenz yesterday said there were three separate fires on steep terrain which spanned just under 0.5 hectares of land in Dalefield near Arrowtown.
All three fires were caused by fireworks, Fenz said, and were contained about 2.30am.
Neighbours and other locals, who had launched a petition against the fireworks over animal welfare and fire concerns, watched in horror as the fires took hold.
One local woman told the Herald how her family had been observing the display keenly from Lower Shotover Rd when things took a worrying turn.
Her son ventured towards Malkin’s well-gated and secured $20 million property when he saw a black Range Rover drive out.
"There was someone on the gate and she was radioing, saying, ‘Get them out, get them out’," the local woman said.
"Whether they had visitors there, it could have been them. But you wouldn’t hang around – they certainly wouldn’t have stayed in the house for the night, [the fire] was so close and it was pretty smoky around the valley.
"So where [Malkin] is now, I don’t know."
The woman said Malkin had not offered an apology and for a lot of people in the area, that was not acceptable.
"He’s possibly even left the country, who knows."
A Malkin family spokeswoman today denied it was the property owner himself who was seen leaving during the fire.
The fires spread across just under 0.5 hectares of land and were contained by volunteer firefighters about 2.30am.
A specialist fire investigator was at the scene yesterday.
Locals are angry that they have not received any communication from Malkin or had any apology since the drama.
Malkin’s spokeswoman yesterday released a one-sentence statement which said: "We are deeply grateful for the expert work of Fenz and the police".
Asked what advice they would have for property owners in such a situation, Fenz said today: "Every incident is different. In a fire, people should listen to emergency services’ instructions and follow any advice given".
Fenz had approved a safety plan for the private display, and neighbours had been advised to speak to the Ministry for Primary Industries and the SPCA.
But angry Queenstown residents say Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) need a "right royal bollocking" after agreeing to the billionaire’s safety plan.
It is understood the property at the centre of the Dalefield furore is an exclusive lodge in Littles Rd, owned by a company associated with Empire State Realty Trust chairman, president and chief executive Tony Malkin, of New York.
Fenz national manager of readiness and recovery Steve Turek said certification for pyrotechnic displays on private land was issued by an independent compliance certifier under the WorkSafe regime. Fenz provided advice on the safety plan.
"In this case, our staff reviewed the safety plan for the event and agreed to it.
"The Dalefield area was not in a restricted fire season on New Year’s Eve as the fire indices did not meet the threshold for imposing restrictions.
"A specialist fire investigator has conducted a scene investigation today and his report will be prepared and reviewed in the normal way before being released."
"It was very reassuring to see [firefighters] arrive and calmly take charge and get the fire under control.
"We were not anxious but we were very watchful ... If it had been windy or had reached the trees the outcome today would have been very different."
Although the fire was out yesterday, tempers were still flaring among residents who last week started a more than 300-signature petition against the private display, amidst concerns the noisy display would frighten their horses and other livestock.
Liz Park leases a block of land at Dalefield for her daughter’s retired 18-year-old eventing horse, Louie.
She gave up her own New Year’s Eve party to spend the evening with Louie, and was distressed by how upset he became.
"I wish I could have a photo for you of the horse’s eyes. They were bulging out of his head."
She was lucky she had a massive paddock so Louie did not bolt the fences.
However, his reaction was still "bloody horrific" and Fenz needed a "right royal bollocking".
John Quinn said he spent all New Year’s Eve loading his horses into two trucks and driving them to Southland.
"The cost to the community alone in moving the stock would be unbelievable."
He found it incredible that one person could have that much impact on so many people.
"There was a lot of panic and fear last night."
Central Otago group manager Bobby Lamont said two Queenstown fire appliances, a tanker and a rural appliance from Arrowtown, as well as 16 crew, went to the fire.
It took three hours to extinguish it and one crew stayed until daybreak to ensure there were no flare ups.
Two other Otago vegetation fires were also put out yesterday.
A small fire at an old school site in a Department of Conservation reserve in Skippers Canyon, near Queenstown, was extinguished by campers, earning praise for their actions to prevent it spreading.
Mr Lamont said heavy fire trucks could not get access but Fenz staff drove in early yesterday morning to confirm it was out.
Fireworks are believed to be the cause of a cliff-face fire at Aramoana, near Dunedin, which began shortly after midnight and blazed all night.
Five crew, with help from a helicopter, extinguished the inaccessible fire yesterday morning.
Meanwhile, a spark from a lawnmower blade hitting a stone seems to have been the cause of a fire in Southland yesterday afternoon, a Fenz spokesman said.
Six crews extinguished the Wendon blaze at 3.30pm.
- Additional reporting NZ Herald
